Mealtimes and more
By now your toddler probably really enjoys feeding themselves at mealtimes so finger foods are great - even if it seems like more ends up on the floor or down their front than in their mouth! Adult table manners are still a long way off unfortunately!
You may also find them beginning to be proficient with a spoon, and drinking from a cup. Right now eating is a fun learning experience so try not to get too stressed out about the mess. That said ensuring that they eat in the kitchen or somewhere else with a ‘wipe clean' floor really isn't a bad idea!
You'll probably have also found that emptying containers of their content is a really popular game - so be extra careful to keep any potential choking hazards well out of reach.
By now your toddler probably uses around 3 or 4 words fairly regularly, and probably combines words with gestures in order to communicate. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; and in your baby's case it's a key part of language development. Therefore don't be surprised to hear your toddler seemingly imitating your tone and trying out new sounds; even if they're not quite ‘talking' yet.
Your toddler is also learning more and more about play now - you may find that they initiate games, will play happily with a ball, will scribble with crayons etc.
Now more than ever before your toddler's curiosity knows no bounds, plus as they become more mobile keeping a close eye on them is essential. Before you know it ‘no' will become your favourite word. Sadly, ‘no' can make whatever it is that your child is doing more interesting.
Rather than constantly trying to prevent them from touching and playing with things that they shouldn't; make sure anything potentially hazardous is well out of reach, and instead leave child-safe things within their reach for them to play with.
Play & Pretend
Right now your toddler is learning to play - so encourage this with our Come to Life game. It can also help their speech development and imagination.
