Even if your little one isn’t officially ‘toddling’, their growing independence and developing personality means they’re moving away from those early baby years and entering an exciting new phase.
Battleground
Remember those days when your little one would lie peacefully on a playmat cooing? Nowadays, your toddler won’t sit still for more than a few minutes and is asserting their new-found authority at every opportunity. An increased desire for independence is all part of growing up and while it can be heartwarming to see, at times it can feel like an uphill battle. Mealtimes can be particularly tricky. Once more than happy to be spoon-fed every mouthful, you might find your toddler now refuses to eat unless they’re the one holding the spoon. Rather than wrestling back the cutlery, try giving one spoon to your toddler to ‘feed’ themselves and use one yourself to spoon a few mouthfuls in.
Play and socialization
As your baby grows into toddlerhood, you’ll start to notice they can play for longer periods of time without getting bored or frustrated. Play groups and play dates are a great way to help your little one start to socialize. Although they are a long way off from sharing their favorite toy with a friend, getting them used to being around other children is invaluable.
Teething (again)
By now you’ll be used to spotting the tell-tale signs of teething and be a pro at being able to soothe your little one. At this age, some toddlers’ big molars might start to come through which can cause sore gums and discomfort. Try to get into a good teeth-brushing routine and maybe think about that first trip to the dentist.
Chatterbox
You might notice your toddler is saying a few more real words now. Encourage them by pointing out things you can see, counting the stairs as you climb them and naming the different colors of things around you. They will absorb everything you tell them and will often repeat what they hear. So, be careful what you say…
No
You’ll never forget the first time you hear the word ‘mama’ or ‘dada’, but you might not be quite so happy with another word that often enters your little one’s vocabulary – ‘no’. Once they’ve learnt how to use this in the right context it quickly becomes their answer to everything. Try not to get frustrated, they’re still learning the boundaries of this new world around them. Offering up a choice is a good way to avoid the ‘n’ word – ‘would you like your blue or your red shoes?’ rather than ‘shall we put on your shoes’.
How are you feeling?
Along with a sense of pride as your little one reaches important milestones you might also feel a bit overwhelmed about what this new phase will bring. It can be tricky to know how to handle a suddenly stubborn toddler who says no to everything. If you can, try to stay calm and remember they aren’t being deliberately naughty. That phase is yet to come…