Months 19-21

Mental Development
- Imitate with greater precision the actions of parents
- Use two-word phrases, usually a noun and a verb
- Play pretend games like driving the car or making dinner
- Know where to find things. For example, go to the door to go out or to the cabinet for a biscuit
- Remember where they left things or where they belong
- Ask for food, toys and other familiar items
- Identify two pictures by pointing
- Know how to use the word “yes”
- Start to use deductive reasoning, that is to take two pieces of information and come to a conclusion without having to try an experiment. For example, your child might pull a chair over if they are trying to get something that is out of her reach
Visual Development
- Have better eye-hand coordination
- Be able to focus on objects near and far
Growth
19 Months
- Weigh about 10.4 kg if she’s a girl or about 11.1 kg if he’s a boy
- Be about 81.7 cm tall if she’s a girl or about 83.2 cm tall if he’s a boy
20 Months
- Weigh about 10.6 kg if she’s a girl or about 11.3 kg if he’s a boy
- Be about 82.7 cm tall if she’s a girl or about 84.2 cm tall if he’s a boy
21 Months
- Weigh about 10.9 kg if she’s a girl or about 11.5 kg if he’s a boy
- Be about 83.7 cm tall if she’s a girl or about 85.1 cm tall if he’s a boy
Motor Development
- Drink from a cup, using both hands, without much spilling
- Start to run
- Walk up steps while holding on to railing for support
- Use a spoon and fork, but not all the time
- Like to take things apart
- Kick a ball forward
- Take off an article of clothing
- Put things together
Social and Emotional Development
- Start to understand the concepts of “you” and “me”
- Play beside another child, but not with the other child
- Almost always be busy doing something as they learn about people and things
- Be more interested in exploring since they can now move horizontally and vertically
- Have a habit of pushing other children and grabbing things from them, because they have not yet learned how to control aggressive instincts
- Be eager to have a conversation with you, which they often start by asking “what’s this”
- Get someone’s attention to show them something
- Express their feelings through words or negative behaviour