Months 19-21 Development & Milestones

Navigating the world of an almost-two-year-old toddler is an exciting adventure filled with never ending curiosity and exciting developments. As your little one inches closer and closer to their second birthday, you’ll see them practising many new skills, from physical achievements to newfound improvements in communication.

Not only are they growing physically, but they’re truly starting to show their unique individuality with their own preferences, ideas, and maybe even their first attempts at jokes! Whether you’re interested in learning about common 19 month milestones or are curious about the average weight of a 21 month old, we’ve got you covered.

Physical Development

19 Months: Girls typically weigh about 10.4 kg and are around 81.7 cm tall, while boys may weigh about 11.1 kg and stand on average 83.2 cm tall.

20 Months: Weight and height increments continue with girls reaching around 10.6 kg and 82.7 cm, and boys average 11.3 kg and 84.2 cm.

21 Months: By the end of this period, girls often weigh about 10.9 kg and measure about 83.7 cm in height, whereas boys have an average weight of 11.5 kg and reach around 85.1 cm.

Cognitive Development

Between 19-21 months, your toddler’s cognitive development takes off in fascinating ways. They begin to exhibit clearer signs of understanding and interaction with their environment:

• Problem Solving and Memory: Your little one probably seems like they’re getting sharper every day! They’re mimicking the actions of parents and caregivers with greater precision.
• Pretend Play: Watch them get lost in make-believe games like pretending to be an aeroplane or whipping up a gourmet meal in their play kitchen.
• General Understanding: Your toddler is becoming quite the problem solver! They’ll head straight to the door when it’s time to go out or to the cabinet when they’re craving a biscuit. Their ability to remember where things are or where they belong shows just how much their memory is developing.
• Deductive Reasoning: They’re also starting to think things through more logically – like dragging a chair over to snag something from a high shelf.

Suggested Activities

To fuel this mental growth, engage in interactive play that mirrors everyday activities like pretend cooking or handling toy tools to nurture your little one’s mental development. Tackling puzzles that require matching shapes or finding hidden items also helps to sharpen their problem-solving skills as they learn to remember where things go and start to think ahead to solve puzzles before they even fully present themselves.

Emotional & Social Development

Hold on tight—this phase is a rollercoaster of emotional and social growth for your toddler! As they start to express themselves more and create stronger bonds with others, you might see some of these key 19-21 month developments:

• Self-Awareness and Interaction: Toddlers are starting to grasp the idea of “you” and “me,” a huge leap in their social understanding. They might play next to other kids rather than directly with them, which is perfectly normal at this stage as they figure out how to interact in social settings.
• Emotional Expression and Independence: Your little explorer is likely always on the move, curious about everything and everyone. They’re beginning to initiate conversations, often asking, “What’s this?” Their range of emotional expressions is expanding, too, and they might express themselves through words or even through less desirable behaviours like tantrums.
• Challenges in Social Settings: You might see actions like pushing or grabbing as they learn about personal space and social rules. They may not yet know how to curb their more aggressive tendencies or understand sharing. They still need consistent understanding and guidance from you!

Suggested Activities

Boost their emotional understanding by talking about feelings and actions during play – this helps them put words to their emotions. Organising playdates can be really beneficial, too, even if they’re just playing near other kids rather than directly with them. These are great opportunities for them to practise emerging social skills.

Language & Communication

Your toddler’s language abilities probably seem to improve day after day, revealing new ways for them to express themselves more coherently and with more complexity. Here are some key developments in their speech and language that you might notice:

• Vocabulary and Sentences: Toddlers begin to stitch words into more intricate sentences, typically starting with two-word phrases that combine a noun and a verb. This growth spurt in language skills helps them communicate their needs more clearly, whether they’re asking for snacks, toys, or pointing out what they see in books.
• Understanding “Yes”: They’ll also start using “yes” with better understanding to respond to questions!
• Engagement and Comprehension: As their vocabulary builds, so does their desire to chat more and get involved in conversations. You’ll probably see them combining two words to form mini sentences, usually a noun and a verb.

Suggested Activities

Keep the chat alive! Talk about anything and everything that catches your eye or theirs throughout the day. Make reading a cosy part of your bedtime routine, and continue narrating your actions as you move through your daily tasks. This constant verbal engagement is important in boosting their language skills even further.

Sensory & Motor Skills

Your toddler is making exciting progress in both sensory and motor skills development. Here are some of the key milestones to watch for during this dynamic phase:

• Coordination and Manipulation: Watch as your toddler’s eye-hand coordination sharpens, allowing them to handle objects with better control.
• They might start drinking from a cup using both hands with fewer spills and using a spoon and fork more regularly – though they’re still mastering the art of eating neatly.
• Exploration and Play: With improved motor and sensory skills, your toddler probably loves taking things apart and putting them back together (well, trying to!).
• Running and Kicking: Your little one is likely to start running more confidently, showing better balance and coordination. Kicking a ball forward becomes a new and thrilling skill, providing both fun and a great way to develop motor skills. However, they might still be mastering the art of stopping smoothly and may occasionally trip during their adventures.
• Climbing and Steps: Although it may trigger some anxiety for parents and caregivers, many toddlers at this stage are climbing any piece of furniture in their path. Steps also become less intimidating as they may start walking up stairs while holding onto a railing for support. They might still need your guidance and supervision to ensure a safe way back down!

Suggested Activities

Encourage their growing dexterity with a number of different types of toys and activities. Building blocks, simple puzzles, and art projects like scribbling or finger painting are great for stimulating both their motor skills and their sense of touch.

Feeding & Nutrition

As your toddler takes a more active role in eating by using utensils and cups more frequently, it’s the perfect time to expand their menu with a wider variety of solid foods. You might see their appetite vary as their growth rate starts to stabilise. Keep the diet balanced and get them involved in choosing what to eat, turning mealtime into an exciting adventure rather than just a routine.

Establishing a regular meal time schedule can help foster healthy eating habits. Also, play around with making their plates more visually appealing – think fruit cut into fun shapes or vegetables arranged into smiley faces. This can make trying new foods more appealing and fun, particularly for the fussy eaters out there!

Sleep Patterns

Even our little dynamos need to power down and recharge! Between 19 to 21 months, your toddler sleep needs are around 11-14 hours, including naps. If bedtime feels more like a battle, a calming bedtime routine could be just the ticket. Consider a warm bath, a sweet story, and some snuggle time to help them wind down.

Keeping a regular sleep schedule can help your toddler recognise when it’s time to rest, making bedtime smoother and more serene for everyone.

Health & Safety

If keeping your little one safe hasn’t already become a full-time job, it’s probably about to start! As your tot becomes a little explorer, it’s crucial to toddler-proof your home thoroughly. This age is all about curiosity, exploration, and yes, lots of climbing. Regular check-ins with your paediatrician are essential to stay on top of vaccinations and overall health checks, ensuring your little adventurer is growing up healthy and happy.

Make the most of routine paediatric visits by discussing any concerns you might have, from their sleeping patterns to eating habits. This ensures your toddler is not just growing but truly thriving.

According to the Australian Government Childhood Immunisation Schedule, there are no scheduled vaccines for this age group. However, it’s important for your toddler to receive their annual flu vaccination, especially if they attend daycare, to help protect them during flu season. The flu vaccine is free for children under the age of 5.

When to Speak to Your Paediatrician

Stay on top of your toddler’s growth and milestones by keeping up with regular visits to your paediatrician. These check-ups are key for monitoring their development. If something doesn’t seem quite right, like a delay in speech or motor skills, don’t hesitate to mention it. Remember, when it comes to your child’s health and development, no question is too small.

This stage of your toddler’s life is full of excitement, with new abilities and surprises popping up all the time. With your love and support, they’ll keep exploring, learning, and blossoming into an amazing little individual. What a wonderful adventure to share!

And remember, if you ever need someone to talk to, our Careline is just a call away. We’re here to support you.

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