Development
12-18 Mths: Growing Up
Over the next year, you will see your toddler's body proportions adapting
to life on 2 legs - which is how she spends most of her time.
Although
she still stumbles and falls, now she's completely mobile.
She
loves practising her new skills by climbing in and out of everything.
Make sure she is secured in her high-chair. Lock cupboards, containers
or trunks that she could climb into.
Weight
gain slows - she looks slimmer and longer
As your toddler enters her 2nd year, her head is still proportionately
over-sized, her neck is short and her legs are bowed. She probably has
a swollen tummy. This is all completely normal! Be assured, her body will
change over the coming months, adapting to her new upright stance.
Her
appetite drops but she can eat most food
As your toddler's weight gain slows, she may not be as hungry as she used
to be. Her digestive system continues to mature, allowing her to eat most
foods with the family. This doesn't mean she will eat everything - she
has acute taste buds and prefers sweet things. She may also be cutting
teeth, making chewing difficult.
Walking,
creeping upstairs and stooping
At 12 months she crawls or shuffles on the floor. She can stand while
holding on to something. Some babies will already have taken their first
faltering steps and in the next 6 months most toddlers will learn to walk
confidently.
Your
toddler's motor control has made huge strides. She can carry large objects
while walking. She can also bend down to pick up small items. When necessary,
she reverts to hands and knees - particularly for climbing up and down
stairs or over uneven floor surfaces.
Throwing a ball, waving and scribbling
Her arm and hand control continues to
improve. She learns to feed herself, although she will still make a mess
for a few months. She can throw things, but not very accurately. Be warned
that your toddler can also open and close doors and pull out the contents.
Now is the time to make sure you have locked away everything that could
be harmful.
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