Watching your kid grow is like magic, but it’s no easy feat unless you know what you’re doing. From food to nutrition and the milestones to watch out for, this article will cover everything you need to know related to your toddler’s growth and development.
Every child progresses at different rates, but there are certain developmental milestones you should watch out. Don’t sweat it if your child misses one or two of these, as long as he’s showing signs of some of them; he’s doing good.
Fine motor skills translate to acute movements or anything that involves precision. Here are the fine motor development milestones you should watch out for-
Between 12 to 15 months
Between 15 To 18 Months
Between 18 To 21 Months
Between 21 To 24 Months
Between 2 To 3 Years
Gross motor development involves larger muscle groups and uses fuller or wider-range movements. Watch out for these milestones to keep your little one on track-
Between 12 to 15 months
Between 15 To 18 Months
Between 18 To 21 Months
Between 21 To 24 Months
Between 2 To 3 Years
Cognitive development starts speeding up from the age of two and beyond as physical development tapers down during these ages. Your child’s brain will be developing and growing fast as he learns to recall better, recognizes colours and familiar faces around him and also be able to do more than babble, such as telling you short stories or narrating glimpses of his days.
If your child has just turned 15 to 18 months old, you can expect them to have a vocabulary of about 10 times more words than what they started with since their formative months. Children over the age of two have a vocabulary of about 50 to 100 words and after the age of three, will be able to begin using combinations of two or more words as toddler speech development takes place.
Between the ages of 1 to 2 years, your child will begin manifesting signs of the terrible twos. When he/she is between two to three years old, he will have developed strong bonds with parents and those around them. Your children will also feel guilty if they do things wrong and will likely test the limits of your authority and flexibility by independently acting and innocently experimenting with objects and situations in everyday life.
Your toddler will be growing during these few months and providing him with the right nutrition is key to physical development. Aim for roughly 1000 to 1500 calories worth meals a day and ensure they get up to 13 grams of protein. As long as you’re giving them a whole-food diet which enables them to thrive and steadily gain weight, you’ll be good to go. You don’t have to count calories if you notice your child meeting his weight and height milestones. Don’t forget to add dairy and meat to their diets too. This is what portion control looks like for 1-3-year-old kids-
Create a safe environment at home to ensure that your kids grow up well and develop cognitively. This means providing plenty of space plus love and attention when they need. Play with your child every day and spend a couple minutes of alone time with them before they hit the sack.
Bedtime routines should be well established by the age of three. Your child will be sleeping for 10 to 12 hours during the night when he’s between two to three with 1 daytime nap included that lasts between 1 to 3 hours. Aim to develop a consistent sleeping schedule and make them stick to it no matter what to avoid sleep deprivation and crankiness during the days.
It’s normal for girls to go to the bathroom and do potty on their own by the age of 36 months and for boys by the age of 30 months tops. You may still need to occasionally help them wipe their buttocks after potty time and assist with their training until the age of three. Be patient and show them how to take care of themselves until they are confident and able.
Here are some safety tips for parents who have kids of these ages-
You can monitor your toddler’s development by taking them to routine checkups which are usually scheduled between the ages of two and three. Make sure your child is getting his flu shots and vaccinations and check his weight and height during the checkups to see if he’s on track. Keep a note of any concerns you have regarding their development during visits to clarify with the doctor next time.
Being an encouraging parent who showers love and affection whilst providing a positive environment for growth and development is key to your toddler’s wellbeing at this age. Here’s what you can do to help with the development of your toddler till 3 years-
No child is the same, and that’s something important to keep in mind. Give your toddler lots of time, patience and affection, and you can rest assured that they’ll reach their expected milestones in no time.