Parents marvel at their children from birth, and the months that follow are a time of joy and amazement as parents of babies become parents of toddlers. Children grow at an astonishing rate and are unrecognizable as the tiny babies they were by the time they reach one year old. One year olds have very different needs than infants and begin to learn the skills that will carry them into childhood.
Every child is different, but there are some common traits that most one year olds share. If you are a new parent of a toddler here are six things you should know about your one year old.
It's ok if your child does not walk by one year. Walking is one of the most anticipated milestones, but not all babies walk by one year and this is perfectly normal. Give your child lots of encouragement and practice and they will walk in their own time.
Young babies have a hard time concentrating on anything for more than a minute or so, and many parents look forward to the time when their child will be able to play games and interact for longer periods. Most one year olds have attention spans of about five minutes if they are interested in the activity so you will be able to play one game for longer stretches.
Your one year old will probably have distinct preferences for the type of play he enjoys, and their favorite games might not be the ones you like. One year olds like to push, throw, drop, and dump things which may not be your favorite game but helps them learn about the world around them.
Toddlers thrive on routine and having clear routines for bedtime, naptime, and meal time will make these activities go smoother. Form some habits that can be repeated every day for these times and your one year old will eagerly anticipate and take part in these routines.
Most babies develop some sort of separation anxiety which can range form mild to severe around seven or eight months, and this anxiety usually heightens by one year. One year olds will often protest loudly when being left with a sitter, and it is best to allow your child to warm up to their caregiver before you leave and not prolong the leaving process.
By one year your child may have developed distinct food preferences as toddlers are notorious for being picky eaters. You may have to introduce a food ten or twenty times before your child will like and accept it.
Parents of toddlers face different challenges than those of infants, but these challenges are all part of helping your child grow and develop. Your one year old is busy learning about the world around her and the better you understand your child's needs the better you will be able to help her grow.
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