What IS a Toddler?
What IS a Toddler?
In these months and years speech also develops at a rate of knots. The scribble that they constantly babble will soon change into legible words; ranging from roughly 5-20 by the age of 18mths. By the time they are 2 years they may include as many as 200 words now, many of which are nouns. Between 18 and 20 months, children learn words at a rate of 10 or more a day. Some learn new words every 90 minutes, so watch your language. They'll even string two words together, making basic sentences such as "Carry me." By the time they are two they’ll use three-word sentences and sing simple tunes keeping you thoroughly entertained. By the time your toddler is 3 yrs old she/he will have question after question to keep you on your toes. Most of which will begin with the words “But why” or “No.” It won’t be long and you’ll be having proper conversations (and full blown arguments) and singing nursery rhymes.
Toddlers will be messy at mealtimes as they attempt to feed themselves using a fork or spoon and can also have a go at drinking from a cup; if you have laminate flooring and are brave enough to test the joints your partner painstakingly installed one Bank Holiday weekend then allow them the freedom to feed themselves! It will soon be easier clean up as, allegedly, when your child reaches 3 years they become far more capable of getting food and drink into their mouths and not on the floor!
Toilet training can usually begin between your toddlers 2nd and 3rd birthday, although some toddlers are ready sooner. The majority of toddlers are trained by the time they reach 3 yrs and are dry in the day, but it may take a while longer for the night times to be dry too. Remember, every child works at different speeds. Just because Mrs Jones’ from Tumble Tots was boasting about ‘Little Johnny’ being potty trained and using a steak knife to carve his sirloin by the age of 9 months, does not mean that all children will follow the same route.
Toddlers are quite determined when it comes to getting dressed, as many don’t want any help and like to do it all themselves. Generally toddlers take their clothes off, and like to run around naked before wanting to get them back on. Socks and shoes are normally the first.
Toddlers enjoy playing with crayons and scribbling over paper attempting pictures and by 2yrs may copy lines or circles.
Your toddler's sleeping pattern will also start to change and will soon shorten or cut out completely that afternoon nap. On average a 18mth will need 13.5hrs sleep over 24hrs, by the time your child has reached 3-4 yrs they will need 11.5hrs.
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