Introduction
Mumma, Dada, did you know that by the end of my sixteenth month, I’m learning and doing so many new things? Here’s what I’ve been up to:
The Benefits of My Early Development
Gross Motor Skills: I can throw a ball with an overhead motion. I can change my walking speed due to better control over my movements. I can climb off furniture alone, like the bed or chairs, without help. My repertoire of motor movements has increased; I combine actions like walking, climbing, and ducking. I can lift one foot for a moment if I am leaning on a piece of furniture. I can walk backward for a few steps.
Fine Motor Skills: I can rip a piece of paper. I can press low-pressure lids onto circular containers.
Cognitive Development: I begin to imitate activities that I’ve seen previously without needing to see them as I repeat them (deferred imitation). When asked, I can point to the majority of the main parts of my body. I experiment with using an object in various ways and explore its characteristics, taking advantage of my more developed fine motor skills. I follow and obey more complex one-step commands.
Speech Development: I attempt to say the names of close relatives, though my ability to fully pronounce them remains limited, resulting in simple names like Dada, Mama, Meema, and Popop.
Self-Care: I show interest in brushing my own teeth. I can help pick up toys if you ask.
Social-Emotional Development: I initiate some social games with you, Mumma and Dada, such as passing a ball back and forth. I display limited patience and will easily throw a tantrum if I don’t get what I want. I laugh hysterically at things I find cheerful or funny. Upon finding some action that elicits laughter, I will repeat it frequently.
Types of my developmental milestones
Other Development Highlights: I can guide a toy car or some similar toy back and forth on a path. I continue to improve my ability to communicate my wants; for example, if I want you to reach a toy for me, I can indicate this.
Additional Physical Development: I can walk a few steps backward without falling, showing good spatial estimation. I can move liquid from one container to another using a glass. I can hold an object like a bat and swing it to hit other objects, like a stationary ball, with good control. I can climb stairs with more confidence, one step at a time, using a handrail or by holding your finger.
Additional Cognitive Development: I try to imitate physical actions like bending over, exercise steps, and squats. I can point and identify 4-6 objects, like fruits and animals, when prompted with 2 flashcards at a time. I start to show an initial understanding of the concept of quantity, like more water or more bananas. I understand the hide and seek game and can find you in common locations in the house. I understand and can nest glasses into one another to reduce storage space. I start to understand the concept of inside and outside and perform respective actions when prompted, like getting inside the box or coming outside of the bathroom. I understand the cause and effect of switching something on and off, like light buttons and TV buttons. I understand and perform actions as per ‘give’ and ‘take’ instructions. I can carry out multi-level processes like picking up things and putting them in a place, opening a drawer to get a toy, and closing it after.
Additional Communication Development: I can mimic your voice pitch, sound intensity, and expressions to match your sounds. I can identify and point out one item at a time from a group of 4–5 familiar items. For example, I can identify a mango in a bucket of banana, pear, mango, muskmelon, and apple. I enjoy and observe your mouth movements and actions keenly when you recite rhymes in an animated manner. I speak the names of a few familiar objects even without a prompt when I see them in real life or in a picture. I start to call family members when asked, like “Call mommy,” and I call “Mommy” aloud, and likewise for other family members. My receptive vocabulary has increased, and I can understand around 20–30 words. I can recite the sounds of objects like a doorbell, car horn, bike engine, and pressure cooker when asked.
Additional Social and Emotional Development: I show a wide range of emotions, like happiness, laughter, sadness, and anger. I can share or offer things to unknown people when prompted, which is a sign of social intelligence. I can greet people with ‘hello,’ ‘flying kiss,’ and ‘goodbye’ gestures when prompted. I behave aggressively if a demand isn’t met and become normal as soon as the demand is fulfilled. I have a growing fondness for adult activities, like steering a car or blowing a horn, making dough, sorting vegetables, and watering plants.
Conclusion
Research shows that these early developmental milestones are crucial for my growth and learning. According to studies in Pediatrics and Infant Behavior & Development, engaging with me through talking, playing, and responding to my needs helps enhance my cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development.
Maa and Daddy, your love and interaction play a significant role in my development. Keep talking, playing, and cuddling with me, and watch how I grow and learn every day!