Growth and Development in Infants from 1 to 2 Years Old

As your baby transitions as infant from the first year to the second, there are numerous growth and development milestones to look forward to. This period, often referred to as the toddler phase, is filled with remarkable changes in physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and speech development. Understanding these milestones can help parents provide the necessary support to facilitate their child’s optimal growth. This article will discuss these key areas and provide parenting tips, when to be concerned, and suggested toy selections/supplements.

Infant’s Physical Development

Milestones:

• Walking and Running: Most toddlers begin to walk independently and may start running.
• Climbing and Balancing: Improved coordination allows for climbing stairs and balancing on one foot.
• Fine Motor Skills: Enhanced ability to stack blocks, scribble with crayons, and use utensils.

Parenting Tips:

• Encourage Physical Play: Create safe opportunities for climbing, running, and exploring.
• Fine Motor Activities: Provide toys and activities that promote the use of hands and fingers.
• Supervision: Closely supervise your toddler to ensure safety during their explorations.

When to Worry:

• If your child is not able to walk by 18 months or shows little interest in moving around.
• If your toddler loses skills they once had.

Suggested Toys:

• Melissa & Doug Pull Back Vehicles: Promotes fine motor skills and encourages movement.
• Little Tikes First Slide: Great for climbing and sliding indoors and outdoors.
• Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster Ride On: Encourages physical activity and balance.

Cognitive Development

Milestones:

• Problem Solving: Improved ability to solve simple problems, like fitting shapes into a shape sorter.
• Memory: Better memory allows them to remember and imitate actions.
• Imagination: Early signs of imaginative play, such as pretending to feed a doll.

Parenting Tips:

• Interactive Play: Engage in activities that encourage problem-solving and imaginative play.
• Books and Puzzles: Provide age-appropriate books and simple puzzles to stimulate cognitive development.
• Naming Objects: Consistently name objects and actions to build vocabulary and understanding.

When to Worry:

• If your child shows no interest in interacting with family members or peers.
• If there are extreme reactions to changes in routine.

Suggested Toys:

• Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter: Great for social interaction and cooperative play.
• VTech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer: Encourages social play and cooperation.
• Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Digits: Promotes fine motor skills and cognitive development.

Emotional and Social Development

Milestones:

• Social Play: Begins to show interest in playing with other children and learning to share.
• Emotional Expression: Clearer expression of a range of emotions and beginning to understand others’ emotions.
• Independence: Demonstrates a desire for independence, often saying “no” and trying to do things on their own.

Parenting Tips:

• Encourage Social Interaction: Arrange playdates and group activities to build social skills.
• Teach Empathy: Model and teach empathy by labeling emotions and discussing feelings.
• Support Independence: Allow your toddler to make choices and try tasks independently, offering help when needed.

When to Worry:

• If your child shows no interest in interacting with family members or peers.
• If there are extreme reactions to changes in routine.

Suggested Toys:

• Fisher-Price Little People Caring for Animals Farm: Encourages social and emotional development.
• Melissa & Doug Wooden Make-a-Cake Mixer Set: Fosters imaginative play and sharing.
• Green Toys Dump Truck: Promotes cooperative play and sharing.

Speech and Language Development

Milestones:

• First Words: Vocabulary expands rapidly, often including around 50 words by 18 months.
• Two-Word Phrases: Begins to combine two words to form simple sentences, like “more juice.”
• Following Instructions: Can follow simple instructions and understand basic questions.

Parenting Tips:

• Encourage Talking: Engage in conversations with your toddler, asking questions and encouraging responses.
• Read Aloud: Continue reading books daily to enhance vocabulary and comprehension.
• Sing Songs: Sing nursery rhymes and songs to build language skills and rhythm.

When to Worry:

• If your child has fewer than six words by 18 months.
• If your toddler is not pointing to show interest or is not responding to their name.

Suggested Toys:

• VTech Touch and Teach Word Book: Interactive book to build vocabulary.
• Melissa & Doug Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks: Helps with letter recognition and vocabulary.
• LeapFrog My First Learning Tablet: Promotes language development through interactive play.

Health and Nutrition

Milestones:

• Eating a Variety of Foods: Most toddlers are eating a wider range of foods and beginning to self-feed with utensils.
• Weaning: Transitioning from breast milk or formula to whole milk.
• Regular Check-Ups: Continue with regular pediatrician visits to monitor growth and health.

Parenting Tips:

• Balanced Diet: Offer a variety of healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains.
• Hydration: Ensure your toddler drinks plenty of water and limit sugary beverages.
• Routine Check-Ups: Maintain regular pediatrician appointments to track growth and developmental milestones.

When to Worry:

• If your child has difficulty chewing or swallowing.
• If there is a significant decrease in appetite or failure to gain weight.

Suggested Supplements:

• Zarbee’s Naturals Baby Multivitamin with Iron: For toddlers needing additional nutritional support.
• Culturelle Kids Packets Daily Probiotic Supplement: Helps with digestive health and boosts the immune system.
• ChildLife Essentials Vitamin C Liquid: Boosts immune system health.

The journey from 1 to 2 years old is a dynamic period filled with incredible changes. Paying close attention to these developmental milestones and providing the right environment and resources can help your toddler thrive. Remember that each child is unique and may reach these milestones at their own pace. However, if you have any concerns about your child’s development, do not hesitate to consult with your pediatrician for guidance.

Other related resources:
Parenting – Tiny Minds World
Growth and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth
Child development milestones 1 to 2 years | First Five Years