MONTH 13 - MONTH 15
Please
keep in mind that all babies are unique. Whether your
baby reaches milestones early or late, he has her
own developmental path to follow. The dividing lines
between these months are very fuzzy. If you have any
concerns or questions about your baby’s development,
please check with her health care provider.
Baby
Steps
Most babies are walking around this time -- or rather
toddling. If your baby is on the cusp of walking or
still prefers cruising around furniture, please be
patient. As humans, we are programmed to be upright
creatures. Your child will let go and take those first
precious steps before you can say, "someone get the
camcorder."
Some
children do not walk until 18 months or even later.
This is a time when it is especially important to
respect baby's unique development. If you have concerns,
check with your child's health care provider who can
do an assessment of your child's developing motor
skills. Again, our advice is to enjoy this time. It
won't be long before you will be running after your
little moving target.
One
trick to keep toddlers occupied is to give them an
irresistible pull toy to help them practice their
new walking skills. When she can really move well,
she'll love carting around her dolly or favorite stuffed
animal.
Changing
Body and Eating Habits
As
your child is becoming more active and rapidly developing
amazing gross motor skills, you may notice a change
in her body. She may lose some of that scrumptious
baby fat on her legs and arms. She may also seem less
interested in eating at times, while ravenous at others.
When you take your child in for an exam, chances are
you will notice that she is gaining weight at a much
slower rate. Pretty soon, she'll no longer look like
the pudgy baby you love to cuddle. But she still loves
your hugs during downtime and while she is refueling.
When
your toddler is interested in eating, try offering
her a spoon. This is a wonderful exercise in fine
motor and self-help skills. There are also some safe,
toddler-friendly forks on the market so your toddler
can stab her broccoli or meatballs before devouring
them. If she tosses the spoon or fork over the side,
take a deep breath, and remember this is very developmentally
appropriate for this age. She may have wanted to find
out what would happen if she threw the spoon, or she
may have been frustrated and decided to use her trusty
fingers as her utensils. Messiness at eating is very
common at this age. Stock up on large bibs and splat
mats that go under baby's chair to keep the mess contained.
And if you eat out, you may want to skip white tablecloth
restaurants during this stage in development.
Expressive
Language
Most
toddlers have a few words in their vocabulary by now,
but again, there is enormous range for language development.
Often, the first words (outside of mama and dada)
are related to their interests -- truck, car, book,
duck, doggie, etc. It is very important to repeat
these words back to your child. Besides helping her
master how to say the word, it is validating and gives
her a sense of pride and accomplishment. Besides,
it is so darn cute hearing toddlers speak.
Books
are still one of the best ways to support language
development. Again, pick out books based on your child's
interest. You may learn more than you ever thought
you would know about vehicles used in construction
or all the exotic animals in a zoo. Children are sponges
for this knowledge and enjoy practicing to say new
words. She may ask you to read the same book over
and over -- until all of you know it by heart.
Receptive
Language
Regardless
of how many words you child has under her belt, she
has amazing receptive language abilities. One fun
activity for her right now is to be your little helper
for tasks she can easily manage. If she wants you
to read her a book, ask her to go pick it out and
bring it to you. Or if your hands are full and you
drop something (that is easy to hold, like a sock),
ask her if she can pick it up. She will have an enormous
sense of accomplishment when she sees you smile and
say "thank you'" for helping her. This is wonderful
for laying the foundation for positive self-esteem
and self-concept -- ideas of the self that are shaped
from early experiences with important people, like
parents.
Awareness
of Self and Others
Toward
the end of these three months, your toddler will be
able to recognize herself and others in photos or
when she gazes at her lovely image in a mirror. Photos
are a wonderful way to help your toddler understand
about her family, friends, and herself as a separate
individual. Children love looking at pictures through
photo albums that protect pictures from bending.
Photos
are a wonderful way to help children in childcare
and separated from mom or dad feel closer to their
parents. It is especially supportive if they can hold
the photos in their own hands. Childcare providers
can talk about who is in the photo and remind the
child that Mommy or Daddy always comes back. Often
toddler programs and preschools encourage parents
to keep photos of family members and other loved ones
(let's not forget the family dog or cat) in the child's
cubby.
"No!"
First-time
parents are often surprised to hear this word from
their child as early as 13 to 15 months. They may
ask themselves, "Isn't this a two-year-old's word?"
But just as your toddler is mastering the concept
of herself as an autonomous individual, she is figuring
out the tools to assert her independence. She may
say "no" to almost every question that you ask her.
This too will pass.
Instead
of asking a yes/no question, you may want to give
her choices. For example, "Rahul, do you want to drink
juice or water with your snack?" Also, let your child
feel in control of whatever it is you need her to
get done. "Rahul, please pick out some socks to wear
today." Okay, she may pick out purple socks to go
with the green and yellow outfit, but at least she
is wearing socks. And she felt that she was in control
of this task. As parents, we have to pick our battles.
But be clear and don't offer choices when there really
aren't any.
Also,
we can model with our own responses to her. It can
be very difficult to refrain from saying "No" to children,
especially when they are doing something that really
pushes our buttons. If possible, think of other ways
to redirect the behavior. "Rahul, balls are for throwing
outside. You can roll the ball inside." Obviously,
if a child is doing something that is not safe, it
is important to communicate quickly to stop the behavior.
This may be the time for a stern, "No."
Molars
The
fifteen-month molars, which can make their appearance
anytime now or as late as nineteen months, are often
the source of discomfort for your toddler and a few
sleepless nights for both of you. These are the large
teeth located on the top and bottom that have double
edges. You probably already know from previous bouts
of teething how specifically to support your toddler
during her discomfort. Some parents recommend rubbing
the gums with their fingers to relieve the pressure
or offering a cold teething ring (frozen mini bagels
work well too) or teething biscuit. If these techniques
do not work, consult with your child's health care
provider on other ways to support a teething child,
including over-the-counter pain remedies.
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