Children 13 to 18 Months Old - Information for Families

By 18 Months Old

I Can:

• Walk without help
• Climb up and down on things
• Stand up and sit down without holding on
• Like to push, pull, and take things apart
• Begin to show a “temper” when I can’t do something I want
• Understand simple, one step directions
• Use more meaningful, single words, gesture and use words together
• "Cling" to caretakers in new situations

My Family Can:

• Let me play alone but within sight of familiar people for a few minutes at a time
• Be consistent with my feeding, napping, and bedtime routines
• Divert me from doing the things I should not
• Show me what I can do and use very simple one step directions
• Hold me and read simple stories
• Teach me simple songs, sing them over and over
• At bath time point to and name some of my body parts

Health and Safety:

• Wash my hands well before I eat
• Expect I can get into many things and places, toddler-proof inside and outside
• Never leave me near any water source even for a minute
• Keep me within your sight while you are on the phone
• I can be a picky eater, offer choices of new foods but don’t force me to try
• Don’t pretend that medicine or vitamins are “candy”
• Brush my teeth daily, toothpaste may be needed so check with my dentist
• My appetite may decrease, but I still need milk and water
• Offer me a variety of foods and let me choose