The 13th month
By the end of this month, your toddler:
… should be able to:
- pull herself up to standing position
- get into a sitting position
- cruise (move from place to place, always holding onto people or furniture)
- clap hands (play pat-a-cake)
- indicate wants in ways other than crying
… will probably be able to:
- put an object into a container
- imitate activities
- stand alone
- use one recognisable word
… might possibly be able to:
- drink from a cup
- use two recognisable words
- point to a desired object
- scribble
- walk well
… might even be able to:
- use a spoon or fork (but not exclusively)
- remove an article of clothing
- point to one body part when asked
- dump an object in imitation.
Emotional development
As the world begins to open up to him, your toddler will open up too. He’ll show a wide range of moods, feelings and behaviours, including affection, independence, frustration, fear, anger, protest, stubbornness, wilfulness, sadness, anxiety and puzzlement. Expect and accept these shifts – they’re part of growing up.
Intellectual development
Early in the second year, your toddler is like an explorers or scientist. She’ll like to pick things up, study, test and manipulate them, and put things in her mouth. Cause and effect is a major focus.
Toddlers live in the here and now, and won’t show much imagination or abstract thinking yet.
When to seek help
Consult a health professional if you’re concerned about your toddler’s developmental milestones. Your child’s rate of development might well be normal (some children are just late bloomers), but he might need to be checked out if he:
- doesn’t use his hands for purposeful activities, like picking things up
- seems unresponsive
- doesn’t smile
- makes few or no sounds
- doesn’t seem to hear well
- is always irritable or demands constant attention.
Remember that a one-year-old who was born prematurely will often lag behind others of the same chronological age. This developmental gap progressively narrows and generally disappears entirely around age two.
