Early Start Your Little One: From 18-36 Months

CEBU, Philippines - The growth and learning between birth and age eight helps lay the foundation for a person’s future development. The ways infants and young children think, interact, and explore are unique to their development and children depend on their parents and caregivers to meet their specific needs. Today’s article highlights characteristics of children 18-36 months old. It gives tips and suggestions that will enable adult caregivers and parents to understand and support their little one’s development.

In this stage, toddlers are developing their own identity. They are becoming more independent and are ready to do things their own way. Children at this stage have the tendency to test limits, love to experiment and make demands. 

What you can do: To aid your child during this stage, it is best to give them a bit of room to become more independent. Give them room to explore (in a safe area) and try not to hover over them too much. Give them space and be there when they need your help.

Toddlers love to play and are very mobile. They run, walk, climb, slide, jump, play and are a bit clumsy. They want to do everything and they love to do things over and over again.

What you can do: Allow the child to play alone or with other kids but with adult supervision to ensure safety. Adult interaction is crucial at this stage so spend time with your child—play together. You will notice that your child loves to do things repeatedly; repeating reinforces what the child learns and creates a sense of success and self-confidence.

Adult caregivers should also allow their children to commit mistakes. Fixing a child’s error or not allowing a child the room for mistake can greatly hinder a child’s confidence. Allow the child to pour his own cereal, put his shoe on the wrong foot or even build a tower that seems to keep falling – all without rushing in and doing it correctly. Giving them space to make mistakes gives them room to learn about the world and to learn their limits.

Toddlers tend to be very demanding and possessive. At times they can be very clingy and need more attention. They don’t want to share their toys with other kids.

What you can do: This attitude is normal and healthy as the child is learning the meaning of having something of their own. Children this age also have trouble seeing things from another person’s point of view. Caregivers can make children aware of other people’s feelings and guide the child about the importance of sharing. You can tell the child “Elena is playing with the doll now. In five minutes it will be your turn. In the meantime, why don’t you play with the bear?” Have patience as children this age might not grasp the idea of not having their way very quickly!

Talking might seem like babbling for the younger end of the spectrum while two year olds talk much more coherently. They tend to ask unending questions and are learning new words daily.

What you can do: Regardless if the dialogue is babbling or clear, parents should encourage their children to speak. Show your interest by listening and talking back to them. Answer your child’s inquiries, there will be many—a curious child is an able child and a parent who fulfills this curiosity will make the child very smart and content. Expose your children to many different words. Studies show that the number of words a child knows at this age is linked to better literacy skills and future school success. 

Temper tantrums are very common especially with two years old and can be nerve-wracking for parents. Children this age can get frustrated very easily.

What you can do: Tantrums do not stem from behavioral problems but they are usually a child’s way of expressing himself. Children this age are full of emotions and often cannot find the words to express them. They are also testing their limits and ability to influence others. During this time, parents should remain calm, firm and consistent. Giving in to a tantrum will tell the child that tantrums work and will open a gate to more problems in the future. Talk to the child in a calm voice, move the child to a space where s/he can settle down. When disciplining children, it’s important to make the consequence meaningful. If the child throws a block at someone else, make the blocks off limits for a short period of time. Then give the child a chance to return and play the right way.

Source: Encouraging Healthy Child Development by Jendayi

The FREEMAN and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. is running weekly features on Early Childhood Care and Development to emphasize the importance of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and to increase public support for ECCD.