Feeding
Most Toddlers should be using a cup. If your child is still using
a bottle, now is the time to wean him slowly over a one or two week
period.
Your toddler should be learning to feed himself. He will use his
fingers and may start using a spoon. This will be messy. Make sure to
cut the food up into small pieces so your baby won't choke. Meals and
snacks should consist of table foods from the four food groups.
Because your toddler isn't growing as rapidly as he did during his
first year of life, it may seem like he has a decrease in his
appetite.
Development
Toddlers are very curious and want to be the boss. This is normal.
If they are safe, this is a time to let your child explore new
things. As long as you are there to protect your child, let him
satisfy his curiosity. Stuffed animals, toys for pounding, pots,
pans, measuring cups, empty boxes, and nerf balls are examples of
toys your child may enjoy.
Toddlers may want to imitate what you are doing. Sweeping,
dusting, or washing play dishes can be fun for children.
Toddlers may start to have temper tantrums at about this age. It
is best to make sure your toddler is in a safe place and then ignore
the tantrum. You can best ignore by not looking at him directly and
not speaking to him or about him to others when he can hear what you
are saying. Fear of separation may intensify at this age. Tell your
child you are leaving and emphasize that you will be back. If
possible, try to avoid long separations from your toddler.
Here's what you might see your child doing between the ages of 15
and 18 months.
Daily Activities
- Avidly explores everything
- Revels in water play
- Likes to feed self
- Begins to use more objects conventionally (comb in hair)
- Enjoys throwing, rolling, pushing, pulling toys
Motor Skills
- Stands unsupported
- Walks without assistance with wide stance and outstretched
arms
- Climbs stairs with assistance
- Refines grasp
- Picks up objects from a standing position
Language Development
- Uses 3 to 6 words
- Adds gestures to speech
- Likes to watch and imitate activities
- Uses voice to gain attention
- Has own words for objects
Cognitive (Thinking and Learning) Development
- Looks to parent for help in solving problems
- Learns cause-effect relationship (repeats enjoyable
actions)
- Looks for hidden objects in last place seen
- Begins to experiment through trial and error
Using Play to help your toddler's physical development
- Provide stuffed animals, dolls, books, and toy cars.
- Supply musical toys such as busy or music boxes.
- Use toys that can be ridden such as small plastic
tricycles.
- Have pots and pans for banging.
- Provide toys that can be pounded, pushed, or pulled.
- Provide toys that fit inside each other or can be filled or
emptied.
- Provide soft balls.
- Furnish action games such as dancing or play chasing.
- Let him color and draw.
Using play to help your toddler's language development
- Read to your child.
- Listen to tapes with your child.
- Sing.
- Talk to your child. Tell him what you are doing and name
things around him.
- Repeat word and point to object when teaching a new word.
Sleep
Your toddler requires one or two naps during the day. Establish a
bedtime routine with nightly rituals and quiet time. Bath time
followed by a bedtime story may relax your toddler and prepare him
for sleep. If you have concerns about sleep problems, ask your care
provider for advice.
Safety Tips
Avoid Choking and Suffocation
- Keep plastic bags, balloons, and small hard objects out of
reach.
- Use only unbreakable toys without sharp edges or small parts
that can come loose.
- Cut foods into small pieces. Avoid foods on which a child
might choke (popcorn, peanuts, hot dogs, chewing gum)
Prevent Burns and Fires
- Keep lighters and matches out of reach
- Don't let your child play near the stove
- Use the back burners on the stove with the pan handles out of
reach
- Turn the water heater down to 120 degrees F
- Install smoke detectors on every level of your home
Car Safety
- Never leave your child alone in the car.
- Use an approved toddler car seat correctly.
- Parents should wear seat belts.
- Children who weigh more than 20 pounds and are older than one
year of age should ride in a forward-facing car safety seat placed
in the center of the back seat.
Pedestrian Safety
- Hold onto your child when you are around traffic.
- Supervise outside play areas.
Prevent Drowning
Continuously watch your child around any water, including toilets
and buckets. Keep toilet seats down and store buckets upside down.
Poisons
- Keep all medicines, vitamins, cleaning fluids, etc. locked
away.
- Put the poison center number on all phones. The poison control
number is 1-800-352-2222.
- Ask your doctor about syrup of ipecac. Use it only if you are
told to do so by your doctor.
- Purchase all medicines in containers with safety caps.
- Do not store poisons in drink bottles, glasses, or jars.
Immunizations
At the 15 month visit your toddler may receive immunizations.
DTaP, IPV, and MOIR are usually given. Your child may run a fever and
be irritable for one or two days after the shots. Your child may also
experience some soreness, redness, and swelling in the areas the
shots were given.
You may give Acetaminophen drops to reduce fever and discomfort.
Your doctor will tell you the appropriate dosage to give based on
your child's weight. Putting a warm wet washcloth on the areas of the
shots or soaking in warm bath water may also help relieve discomfort.
Call your child's physician if:
- Your child has a rash or any reaction to the shots other than
fever and mild irritability.
- Your child has a fever that lasts more than 48 hours.
- You have any concerns.
Next Visit
Your child's next routine visit should be at 18 months of age.
Please bring your shot card.
Additional Health Resources
Credits:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Pediatric Behavioral Health Advisor
www.aap.org
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