Milestones: 16-19 Months: Physical Development
Between the ages of 16 and 19 months, babies continue to hone the skills they first started acquiring a few months earlier — walking then running, picking up objects, and climbing onto chairs and other furniture (make sure you’ve toddler-proofed your home). Don’t worry if your child doesn’t hit all the physical milestones listed here just yet. Every toddler is different and some develop their coordination skills faster than others.
By 16-19 months, most toddlers can:
Walk, and usually run, although their gaits will not yet resemble that of an older child. They will still fall down frequently, so discourage them from running with objects in their hands.
Drink from a cup or eat with a spoon or fork (not necessarily without making a mess).
Remove, or at least attempt to remove, at least a few items of clothing by themselves (socks, pants or shirts, and diapers).
Stack one block on top of another.
Push, pull, pick up, drop, and rearrange toys.
By 16-19 months, some toddlers try to:
Walk up stairs, but have trouble coming down when facing forward (be sure to install reliable safety gates).
Escape from their cribs by climbing over the sides, which is a sign that it may be time to switch to a toddler bed.
By 16-19 months, a few toddlers can:
Do roll-over somersaults or try to stand on their heads with arms and legs out for support (think yoga’s Down Dog).
Clamber on top of table, desks, bookshelves, countertops and cabinets, and (sometimes) even figure out how to climb back down again.
Successfully open unlocked doors.
Jump, getting both feet simultaneously off the floor.
More in milestones:
16-19 Months: Emotional Development
16-19 Months: Cognitive Development
Why developmental milestones will make you crazy
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Important Milestones: Your Child at Eighteen Months.
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension - Developmental Milestones: Toddler.
National Network for Child Care - Developmental Milestones: A Guide for Parents, the Second Year.
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