Parenting - Helping Your Child

18 to 24 Months

The fun with your toddler continues!

Your child is now learning to become independent but still needs to feel safe, secure and loved. They will explore their world and return to you for security. Supervision will still be required at this time.

Your child's ability to understand and follow simple requests is increasing quickly. Language is developing rapidly at this age. Imitation becomes a game; copying your day to day tasks are activities your child will love!

Growth and Development

Your child's unique personality is beginning to show!

Your child can now recognize their own image in family pictures and indicate what they want in words. Your child can run, jump, climb and by 24 months, go down steps by themselves with supervision. At 24 months, children watch other children play and play beside them.

What you can do to help your child grow and develop:

� Read, talk, sing and share time with your child

� Name objects, toys and body parts

� Provide opportunities for your child to imitate others

� Provide clothing for dress up

� Provide toys that imitate household activities

� Look through family albums together

Toys to offer:

� Dolls, stuffed animals, toy spoons, cups and plates, toy vacuum cleaners and tools

� Clay, finger paints or play dough

� Containers to fill and empty

� Pails and shovels

� Books with pictures

� Building blocks

Speech and Language Development

The development of your child's speech and language skills begins long before your child can say their first word.

By talking with your child, singing with your child and reading with your child, you start the process for life-long learning. Your child's communication skills will develop over time. At first you may have difficulty understanding your child's first words and you may rely on hand gestures to communicate.

By 24 months of age, your child will:

Understand more than they can say
Say two words together (example: "more soup")
Say the words "what's that?" (however, your child may not say this clearly)
Can pick one thing out from a group of objects
Point to pictures in a book when asked to (example: "show me the cat")

You can encourage your child's speech and language development by singing or saying a simple rhyme with them. Remember to maintain eye contact with your child, relax, and have fun. Learn the words and actions to Zoom Zoom Zoom. You can find more communication tips for this age group at the York Region Preschool Speech and Language Program website.

For more information on growth and development or speech and language development, visit Programs & Resources.

18 to 24 Months

Growth and Development

Speech and Language Development

Parenting can be a challenge. We can help.