18 - 23 Months of Age

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR TODDLER

  • Talk, sing and read sturdy books with bright pictures and different textures. Have your child touch the pages. Use both active (playing with toys) and quiet play times (reading, singing).
  • Play by running, jumping and kicking large balls with feet.
  • Play games, asking to point to things and pictures.
  • Stack blocks and toys. Play with push toys.
  • Draw lines on paper.
  • Teach to follow directions such as, “Close the door”, “Put the toy on the table”, “Get your book”.
  • Teach to imitate two word sentences, such as “Daddy eat” or “Mommy smile”.
  • Teach to line up four objects in a row.

 

KEEP YOUR TODDLER SAFE

Car and Bike Safety

  • Your child is safest if she rides rear-facing in the back seat until she reaches the weight and height limits allowed by the manufacturer of your carseat. She should remain rear-facing until two years of age or 30#.
  • Check for proper installation of a 5 point harness car seat with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Never leave your child unattended or alone in the car.
  • Model safe behavior by wearing your seatbelt.
  • Require ALL members of your family to use booster seats, seatbelts, bike helmets and protective sports gear.
  • Your toddler should always wear a bike helmet when riding in a bike seat.
  • Everyone in your family should always wear CPSC-approved helmets for bike rides.

Poison Control

  • Keep household cleaners, soaps, medicines and vitamins locked up and out of reach.
  • If your toddler eats or has contact with something that could be poisonous, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately.
  • Do not make your child vomit unless directed to do so by the Poison Control Center.

Burns

  • Teach the meaning of “hot”.
  • Do not leave containers, cups or bowls of hot liquids at the edge of a table or countertop.
  • Check the bath water temperature on your wrist to make sure it is not too hot.
  • Your water heater should be set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Use appropriate barriers around space heaters, wood stoves and kerosene heaters.
  • Keep your child away from hot stoves, fireplaces, grills and fire pits.
  • Use cool mist humidifiers.
  • Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every level of the home and near sleeping areas.
  • Use electrical outlet cover guards in every room.

General Safety Tips

  • Place gates at the top and bottom of stairways.
  • Keep furniture away from windows. Have window guards on second story windows and higher.
  • Lower your child’s crib mattress to the lowest setting.
  • Keep small or dangerous objects out of your toddler’s reach.
  • Keep plastic bags, balloons and chewing gum out of reach.
  • Watch your toddler constantly whenever he/she is near water. Always stay close by. Do not let young children watch your toddler near water. Children can drown in only a few inches of water!
  • The kitchen is the most dangerous room for children. Put your toddler in a high chair if he/she cannot have your full attention.
  • Review child care and safety with babysitters. Always provide a contact number where you can be reached and emergency number instruction such as 911.
  • Avoid small toys. If a toy fits through a cardboard toilet paper roll, it is too small to use.

Guns and Sharp objects

  • The safest thing is to never have a gun in the house.
  • If you have a gun, store it unloaded and locked away. Ammunition must be locked separately away from the gun.
  • Keep knives, scissors and other sharp objects out of reach.

 

KEEP YOUR TODDLER HEALTHY

Fever

  • Fever at this age is a normal response to illness. You may give acetaminophen to relieve any discomfort.
  • Please call our office for an appointment if your child’s fever lasts more than 72 hours or there are symptoms that concern you.

Vaccines

  • Keep your child vaccinated on the schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and your doctor. Splitting doses can be risky and is NEVER recommended by your doctor! Check with your insurance company before each well visit. Ask about deductibles, maximum benefits and if they pay for ANY PART of the cost of vaccines.
  • It is normal to have a fever for a couple of days after vaccination.

Smoking

  • Do not smoke.
  • Consider stopping smoking.
  • Do not smoke in your house or in your car.
  • Do not allow others to smoke around your toddler.

Hands

  • Wash your hands often and wash your child’s hands before meals and snacks.

Nutrition

  • Children should have 16-32 ounces of skim, ½% or 2% milk per day.
  • Juice is not needed. If desired, offer 4-6 ounces maximum per day.
  • Offer water if still thirsty.
  • Offer a variety of food each day and encourage to try new foods.
  • Serve your child 3 regular meals each day with 1 or 2 planned healthy snacks each day.
  • Remember that your toddler will eat when he/she is hungry. Do not force him/her to eat.
  • Snacks may include fresh fruit cut in small pieces, applesauce, cheese, small pieces whole grain bread or crackers.

Dental Health

  • Brush your toddler’s teeth daily with a soft toothbrush using ½ – ¼ of a pea size amount of toothpaste.
  • Consider scheduling your child’s first dental visit at 12-24 months of age.
  • City water contains fluoride which is important for dental health. If you have well water, check with the health department regarding fluoride levels.
  • Ask your child’s health provider if a fluoride supplement is needed.
  • Do not put your child in bed with a bottle.
  • Do not let your child constantly sip on a bottle or walk around with a sippy cup.

Sleep

  • Children this age need an average of 11 hours of sleep at night.
  • Naps usually decrease to once a day.
  • Consistent bedtime and nap time routines are helpful for developing good sleep habits.
  • Nightmares are common at this age.

Skin Protection

  • Your child’s skin is sensitive and burns easily. Avoid direct sunlight and use sunscreen (SPF 30) and a hat.
  • If needed, insect repellents with a DEET concentration of 30 % or less may be used.

NEVER SHAKE YOUR CHILD. THIS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE.

Adapted from Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents—Third Edition: Joseph F. Hagan, Jr. MD, FAAP; Judith S. Shaw, RN, MPH, EdD; and Paula Duncan, MD, FAAP