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Your toddler’s personality is starting to show through now. Do you have a daredevil or a little one who likes to be cautious when trying new things?
Milestones This Month
Most toddlers can
- Bend over and pick up objects
- Stand alone for a short time
- Use two works skillfully
Half of the toddlers can
- Drink from a cup
- Play “peekaboo”
- Enjoy looking at his/her reflection
A few toddlers can
- Roll a ball
- Combine words and gesture to communicate
- Try to lift heavy objects
Toddler Development at 19 Months
This month you will notice that your toddlers’ movements are smoother and more controlled. He or she is able to run, jump, climb and swing with no problems. It is important to provide your toddler with a variety of activities both inside and outside so he or she can keep perfecting these physical skills. You will find that the activities your toddler is attracted to reflect his or her personality. If your toddler is a daredevil who is constantly on the move playground, safe climbing spaces and safe area to play indoors will be required. Other toddlers on the quieter side may prefer slower activities like drawing or putting together a puzzle.
If “no” is one of the favourite words in your toddler’s vocabulary, it is important to set clear boundaries and limits for him or her. Stay consistent with your disciplining techniques and follow through. It is likely your toddler may not remember exact instructions right away, so keep reiterating the rules and show him or her with action what you expect your toddler to emulate.
Do you have a chatterbox in your house or a quiet little mouse? At this age, your toddler should speak about 15 words. If not, you may want to talk to your healthcare provider about seeing a speech therapist to identify potential language development issues early.
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Supporting Your Toddler
Sleep
As soon as they are able, some toddlers will make it a habit to climb out of the crib. If this is your toddler, it is time to think about alternate sleeping arrangements. You want to minimize the chance of your toddler having an accident in the middle of the night. When it comes to toddler bedding you have several options.
- Have a mattress on the floor – You can opt to having the crib mattress on the floor, or if you have a mover a bigger mattress. Depending on the lay out of your house, you may want to install safety gate to stop your toddler from coming out of the bedroom.
- Get a toddler bed – Taking away the temptation to escape will keep your toddler safe. Toddler beds are closer to the ground so there is less of chance of getting hurt. Again, don’t forget a safety gate.
- Move to a big-kid bed – In this case you will likely need bed rails to keep your toddler from falling out. You can even transition your toddler to the mattress on the ground and add the frame later.
Socializing
At this age, toddlers still are not able to play together. But this is a good time to introduce toddlers to playing with peers and making friends. Your toddler will need help learning to share and cooperate. Playdates or classes with other toddlers are a good way to start teaching lessons on not using physical aggressions to get what he or she may want.
It’s also not too early to incorporate “please” and “thank you” to your toddlers’ vocabulary. You can use them while you play or during mealtimes to give your toddler a sense of when to appropriately use good manners.
Toddler Tip
Plan your outings for when your toddler is least likely to be tired. This is the best way to avoid having to deal with a tantrum in a public place.
