Your Toddler's Amazing Journey: Let's Talk About Developmental Milestones & Safety!

There's nothing more exciting than watching your little one grow up, right? But when raising a little child, we have to take care of a lot of things. Especially from the age of one to three, that is, during the 'toddler' period, their growth is very rapid. So, today we will talk about the important steps in your child's development during this time, or developmental milestones ( What are developmental milestones and how to take care of them?

Who are these 'toddlers'? What are they learning at this age?

Simply put, we call children between the ages of one and three a 'toddler'. During this time, you'll notice your little one slowly starting to do things on their own, showing a little independence. This is a very sweet time. Take a look at what they're learning during this time:

• I'm slowly getting used to eating alone.
• They start walking without anyone's help .
• They practice speaking by using new words, repeating words they hear, and starting to say their own name and surname.
• Understands simple commands like "no" and "stop."
• Trying to get dressed without much help.
• They learn to share toys with others and take turns playing with each other.

But one thing to remember is that every child develops at their own pace. Some children will be fully capable of these things by the age of three, while others will take a little longer. It's not a competition.

When should I take my child for medical checkups?

During your baby's first year, you'll likely be seeing the doctor quite often. This is to make sure your baby is growing properly and completing the milestones that should occur during the first year. As your baby becomes a toddler, these checkups become more frequent. You can talk to your baby's doctor and schedule these checkups between the ages of one and three. This is usually the schedule:

• One year later
• At 15 and 18 months
• At 2 years old
• At 30 months
• At 3 years old

What can you expect during a medical examination for a toddler?

Just like when you go to see a baby, during a medical examination of a 'toddler', the child's The main focus is on growth . This includes:

• Measuring your child's weight, height, and head circumference , as well as a full body examination, including eyes, ears, teeth, heart, and lungs.
• Providing necessary immunizations .
• Checking the child's developmental milestones .
• Answering any questions or concerns you may have about your child's development.
• Talking about the next steps in the child's development.
• If necessary, order tests for conditions such as anemia and lead poisoning .

What are these developmental milestones?

Developmental milestones are things your little one should be able to do by a certain age. These are what doctors look for in your child:

• How to move ( Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills). That is, how to run, jump, and grasp small objects.
• How to speak (language development skills).
• How to learn (cognitive skills).
• How to play (social and emotional skills).

As I said before, every child does these things at their own pace. So don't compare yourself to other children. Some children will reach these milestones before others. If you think your child is not reaching these developmental milestones properly, and you have any doubts, be sure to talk to your child's doctor. Then you can look into it.

Development and safety of children from 15 to 18 months

At this age, between 15 and 18 months, your little one is starting to express their feelings with their newly acquired language skills. It's very common at this age to throw tantrums . When they don't get what they want, it's their way of telling you that they're unhappy. Try to distract them with toys and games during these times to calm them down.

At this age, your child should be eating at the table with the rest of the family. They are also learning to use utensils like a spoon and fork, and to stop drinking from a bottle and start drinking from a cup.

Developmental milestones of a child between 15-18 months:

• They show a range of emotions , from being in love with people they know to suddenly acting recklessly.
• Expresses ideas in familiar, single words.
• Follows simple, one-step commands like "sit."
• Walking, starting to run.
• Drinking from a cup, eating from a spoon.

Safety tips for children of this age

To take care of your 15-18 month old little one, take care of these things:

• Close the stairs with gates on both sides. Otherwise, the child may fall.
• When traveling in the car , use a rear-facing car seat.
• Protect your child from potentially toxic items in your home. Be especially careful of cupboards that are at a height that small children can reach. Never store toxic items in bottles or cans that look like food. If your child swallows something that is poisonous, keep it in the container it was in and call the Poison Control Center (if in Sri Lanka, take them to the nearest hospital immediately).
• Avoid giving foods that can choke, such as raw carrots, unpeeled apples, grapes, peanuts, sausages, popcorn, and hard candy. Things like well-ripened avocados, mashed potatoes, boiled vegetables, tomatoes, and peeled or cooked fruits are better. Always cut round-shaped foods into small pieces.

Development and safety of 2-year-olds

Two-year-olds are full of emotions. They are very eager to show their feelings to others. They show love, happiness, anger, and resentment.

Your child's understanding of rules may be very different from what you expect. At this time, set firm and consistent limits on behavior. Two-year-olds often want to please their parents. So don't forget to praise your child when they behave well or learn something new.

You may find that your child is very talkative, curious, and active. Their vocabulary is growing rapidly during this time. Reading books to your child can help them increase their vocabulary, improve their speaking skills, and practice listening.

Although two-year-olds love to be with other children, they often play alone. The main way they learn at this age is through imitation.

Your child may also show signs that they are ready to start potty training . They may be able to stay dry for longer periods of time during the day, or they may develop a regular schedule for when they go to the toilet. They may also be curious about the toilet and become aware of their own bodily functions. Children usually learn to use the toilet when they are ready. Encourage your child and help them when they need it. It is normal for them to take small steps to get used to it.

Developmental milestones of a 2-year-old child:

• Imitating others, especially adults and older children.
• They play near other children, and gradually they start to involve others in the game.
• Speaks in simple sentences of two to four words.
• Recognizes shapes and colors.
• Follows two-step instructions, such as "pick up your toys and put them in the box. "
• Furniture is being moved up and down.
• Standing on tiptoes.

Safety tips for children of this age

Follow these tips to take care of your two-year-old:

• To avoid burns , keep tap water temperatures below 49 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit).
• Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of the house and in every bedroom. Test them once a month and change the batteries every six months.
• If you must keep firearms at home, keep them unloaded, locked, and in a safe place.
• Tape electrical cords to the ground and cover electrical outlets.
• Never leave your child alone in a bathtub, swimming pool, or anywhere with water.
• Never leave your child alone outdoors. Always have an adult supervise them when crossing the street or playing in the yard.

Development and safety of 3-year-olds

Your three-year-old is starting to socialize at this age, along with his developing language skills and rapidly developing motor skills. Your child is curious, often asking "Why?" "Why?"

At three years old, they develop a greater sense of self. Your child will recognize the differences between boys and girls, and will imitate adult role models. When playing, they will interact more with other children their own age. Their vocabulary will grow to hundreds of words. Even if their pronunciation is not perfect, others will be able to understand about 75% of what they say.

Motor skills demonstrate good coordination. Your child will love cutting with scissors, stacking objects, and drawing circles .

Developmental milestones of a 3-year-old child:

• When playing, they let others take turns.
• Recognizes familiar things around them.
• I speak clearly enough for others to understand, and I use two or three sentences in a conversation.
• Uses active imagination.
• They climb and descend the stairs, placing one foot on each step.
• Running, climbing.

Safety tips for children of this age

Do these things to take care of your three-year-old:

• Do fire drills at home.
• Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
• Talk about stranger safety.
• When cooking, turn the handles of pots and pans so that they are not visible in front of the stove. That way, little ones won't be able to touch them.
• Teach your child their name, address, and phone number. It would be good if you could also teach them how to dial 119 (the Sri Lankan police emergency number) in case of an emergency.

What do I need to know before my child starts preschool?

Starting preschool is another big milestone in your child's life. It can be an emotional experience for both you and your child. But making sure your child is ready can help make the transition easier. Before starting preschool, your child should understand the following:

• Sharing with others.
• Being able to express their needs.
• Listening without distraction, paying attention.
• Recognizing letters and numbers.
• Using polite words like "please" and "thank you. "

Your child will learn a lot in the classroom, so you don't need to have everything perfect before the first day. The most important thing you can do is teach your child how to manage their emotions in the classroom. That means being able to say "I'll be right back" when you leave them, and being able to tell the teacher if they need help.

What activities develop cognitive skills in young children?

Cognitive development is another milestone we need to pay attention to as your child grows. Cognitive skills are the ways your child uses their brain to learn about the world around them. Between the ages of one and three, your little one develops many new cognitive skills. These include thinking independently, understanding commands, communicating with others, and using their imagination. Here are some activities that can help develop young children's cognitive skills:

• Using their imagination through storytelling and playing.
• Playing with toys like dolls and stuffed animals.
• Playing with puzzles with three or four pieces.
• Drawing with crayons.
• Building a tower from wooden blocks.
• Using toys with moving parts like buttons and levers.
• Hide and seek.
• Sorting things by size and color.
• Singing songs and dances.

Just think, every game, every activity helps your little one's brain learn little things and understand the world.

What health problems can affect my child's development?

According to data from the United States, it is estimated that about 17% of children have a developmental delay or disability. Some of these conditions include:

• Autism spectrum disorder: This is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It affects the way people communicate, interact socially, and behave. Symptoms of autism in young children include difficulties with social skills, delays in language development and problem-solving skills, difficulties with fine and gross motor coordination, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
• Intellectual disability: Intellectual disability limits a child's ability to learn and perform activities at the same pace as others of the same age. Characteristics of children with this condition include the inability to express their needs, difficulty remembering things, solving problems, and not understanding social rules. Examples of syndromes that cause intellectual disability include Down syndrome , fetal alcohol syndrome , and Fragile X syndrome .
• Developmental Delay: Developmental delays are when your child takes longer to reach a certain developmental milestone. These milestones are reflected in the way your child plays, learns, speaks, moves, and behaves. Examples of developmental delays include expressive speech delay , receptive speech delay , fine motor or sensory processing delay , and gross motor delay .

The important thing is that if a developmental delay is detected early, treatment can begin quickly. Then your child can reach developmental milestones again. If this delay is not detected early, it may be difficult for your child to learn when he starts school. If you think your child may have a developmental delay, be sure to see a doctor.

When should I call my doctor?

You know your little one best. If you suspect there is something wrong with his behavior or the way he learns, call your doctor immediately.

Here are some signs that your child may have a developmental delay:

• If previous abilities are lost.
• If he still doesn't use two-word sentences ("I want milk") after 2 years.
• If you don't understand how to use simple things like a spoon and fork.
• If you don't follow simple instructions like "no" and "stop".
• If you are unsteady when walking.
• If you have difficulty behaving socially with other adults or children, or if you rarely make eye contact.

If you suspect your child has a developmental delay , it's important to act early. This allows your doctor to examine your child and treat any potential developmental abnormalities.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

When you visit the doctor, you can ask questions like these:

• Is my child developing appropriately for his age?
• What should I do if my child misses some developmental milestones?

Take-Home Message

Your little one is growing up so fast, and he is becoming more and more connected to the world around him. Keep an eye on his developmental milestones between the ages of one and three. If you think your little one is not meeting his developmental goals, please talk to your child's doctor. Paying attention to every little thing and getting help in time is the most important thing. Your love, care, and understanding are essential to your little hero's journey!

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