These short 6 months are my absolute favourite time of baby development.  I simply adore these young toddlers.  Baby development may seem to slow a bit for these 6 months in the physical realm.  But these wee ones are developing big in so many other ways.

Here is some important information to keep in mind about your baby’s development during the ages of 18 months to 2 years.  I am not at all intending this information to sound negative, I feel it is simply important for Mama’s to know why their wee ones may be acting certain ways.  These 6 months can be a time for magical make believe, playful running and jumping, and lots of hilarious memory making! 

Here are some notes on 18 months – 2 year old baby development.

Baby’s Thinking

Baby is trying to understand labels and make connections.  She may often ask, “What’s that?”

Baby will recognize and understand familiar words (for example, body parts).  Baby may be able to say my numbers, but he doesn’t yet understand what those numbers mean.  However, he will understand simple number sense (such as three crackers being more then 1 cracker)

Baby cannot yet reason.  Explaining that biting hurts and that if she bites she will be on time out will not work for her yet.  It’s a better idea to say, “Ouch that hurts” and distract or remove baby.

Baby is beginning to grasp time (in very simple ways).  She may understand the idea of having a cookie after dinner, but won’t yet understand the idea of in 5 minutes.

Baby is just beginning to understand make-believe.  He may imitate you on the phone or doing simple activities.  Now is a wonderful time to introduce some creative and fun make believe games.

 Baby’s Feelings

Baby wants her own way all the time.  And immediately.

Temper tantrums may begin.  Baby’s full blown temper tantrum means he is out of control.  He needs you to stay calm and in control until the tantrum blows over.

Baby still is feeling very frustrated.  She wants to do so many things, and is still very limited.  She wants to drink, but may spill.

Baby’s status has changed from being the center of the universe and getting everything she wanted immediately to being told to wait for things, or that she can’t have them altogether.  This ads to baby’s frustration – she is frustrated by her body, and the limits of these new rules.

Baby expresses his emotions with his whole body.  When he is happy he may be jumping and beaming.  When he is sad he may melt and cry.  And when he is angry he may bite, scratch, and hit.  He is not meaning to hurt – he is just expressing himself the only way he know how.

Baby’s Doing

Baby likes lots of room to explore and will usually find things to get into that you didn’t even know existed!

Baby understands so much more then she can say in words.  Asking her to show you what she needs and giving her your hand may help.

Baby is likely a great helper right now.  He loves helping with housework.  Giving him simple tasks, like finding all the socks in the laundry, will help him feel useful and happy.

Baby seems quite indecisive – one minute wanting to be near you and the next wanting her space.  She wants to explore but also wants you close for comfort should she need it.

Baby is not yet ready for sharing or co-operative play.  Any sharing will be because he ‘has to’.  It is normal for babies at this age to be very possessive of toys.

These six months of baby development will be full, fun, and sometimes frustrating.  But I guarantee, should you keep track, each day you will have far more smiles and giggles then frowns.

Sources:

Einon, D.(2005) Creative Play: Recognize and stimulate your child’s natural talents.

Langlois, C. (1998). Growing with Your Child: The complete guide to your baby’s development

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