Learning About Childcare Options

As a first-time parent, knowing what to expect from your toddler can be difficult. However, there are some key milestones that you can look out for which will help you to gauge your toddler's development.

Here are two major toddler milestones to look out for.

Walking Independently

One of the most exciting toddler milestones is when they start to walk independently. This usually happens around 12 months, but some toddlers may start earlier or later.

Walking is a key milestone in your toddler's development as it helps them to explore their surroundings and develop their gross motor skills. Gross motor skills are important for tasks such as climbing, running, and balancing.

As your child starts walking independently, they will also start to develop their balance and coordination. This can be a great time to introduce your toddler to simple games and activities that will help them develop their gross motor skills further.

If you're not sure whether your toddler is ready to start walking, look out for the following signs:

• They can stand up independently and take steps while holding onto furniture.
• Your toddler starts letting go of furniture and taking more independent steps.
• They can walk independently for short distances, although they may still need to hold onto furniture or your hand for support.

Keep in mind that every toddler develops at their own pace, so don't compare your toddler to other children their age. So if your child is not yet walking, don't worry. There are plenty of other milestones that they will reach in due time.

Saying Their First Words

Another key milestone to look out for is your toddler's first words. Most toddlers will start talking when they are between seven and 12 months old, although what they say can be hard to understand. This is an important milestone for your toddler as it helps them to begin communicating with you and others. It also helps them develop their social and emotional skills.

At first, your toddler's first words will probably be simple and consist of one or two syllables. For example, they might say "mama" or "dada." As they start to develop their language skills, they will begin to put words together to form simple phrases. For example, they might say "mama up" or "dada go."

You can encourage your toddler's language development by talking to them frequently, reading stories, and singing songs with them. It's also important to respond when they try to communicate with you, even if you don't understand what they're saying. This will help them to feel supported and encourage them to keep trying.

For more information, look into toddler development blogs near you.