Many exciting changes will take place during the 18-24
month stage. Your toddler’s balance has improved so that she’s now able to
run, climb, play ball and negotiate stairs. Your toddler’s play skills will
mature to being able to color, complete simple puzzles and build a multiple
block tower. She will start stringing large beads and turning the pages of a book
one at a time. Your toddler's pretend play skills are growing. Your toddler is
now able to solve simple problems and communicate her needs to you. She can do
things like remember where an item belongs and turn the handle of a doorknob to open the door. She
has begun to express emotions and understands emotions in others. Language
skills and social interaction are increasing at a rapid pace. With practice self feeding and dressing skills will
continue to grow .
During this stage offer ride on toys, tunnel games, and
encourage jumping. Your toddler should be enjoying the slide and other
playground equipment. Continue to offer toys such as Lego, puzzles, and
pegboards. Your toddler will want to
play pretend play games with you.
Encourage her interest in shopping, fixing things around the house, or
taking care of her baby. Keep up the conversation and sing song games.
Encourage labeling of items in the environment. Read to your toddler. Provide
sensory play opportunities with bath toys, and varied textures like cookie
doughs and containers filled with rice and similar tactile items. Keep
on encouraging the development of independent skills such as feeding and
dressing.
