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