Introduction
Mumma, Dada, did you know that by the end of my twentieth 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 run short distances with more control and balance. I can walk forward, backward, and sideways, though I still struggle on narrow surfaces. I can climb up stairs using only one hand and need support on both sides when climbing down stairs. My balance while walking continues to improve, and I can carry larger items without falling.
Fine Motor Skills: I attempt to imitate horizontal lines when drawing. I can complete a basic shape puzzle with squares, triangles, and circles without assistance. I can open and close zippers.
Cognitive Development: I associate objects with activities, like knowing that soap and a towel are used at bath time. I initiate brief episodes of symbolic play. After completing an objective, like finishing a basic puzzle, I will repeat it several times to reinforce my learning.
Speech Development: I rely less on gestures and noises as my repertoire of words increases and my intonations and vocalizations improve. I combine words and body language to make myself better understood. I can use a spoon to eat solid and semi-liquid food and drink from a cup with no lid. I can help with low-complexity household chores, like cleaning up something that spilled.
Social-Emotional Development: I imitate social behaviors and emotions, like forms of elaboration and dancing. I incorporate concepts like "mine" and "I want" in social interactions, motivated by my desire for independence. I demonstrate pride and pleasure upon completing an objective.
Types of my developmental milestones
Other Development Highlights: My comprehension improves rapidly, and I understand several new words every day. I continue to use the same words in various forms; for example, I use the word "waava" for water, juice, or milk. Episodes of frustration start to become more frequent. I use available toys to recreate desired adventures, like playing with a toy plane as if it could fly.
Additional Physical Development: I can walk from one point to another by removing or avoiding obstacles. I can open a door by pulling or rotating the door handle. I can open a flap box or bottle (like shampoo bottles) using my fingers or thumb tip. I can climb places higher than my head using support from my surroundings or by moving objects for support, like bringing a chair to climb onto a table. I can unscrew a bottle or turn on a water tap with medium difficulty. I can open doors by moving the knob or handle with ease. I can bend my legs a little or duck my neck and walk a small distance when prompted. I can open and close an easy zipper bag. I can build block towers of 6–8 stories.
Additional Cognitive Development: I can say "up" and "down" with good understanding. My understanding of "yes" and "no" is established, and I can use them almost correctly. I have an understanding of spatial concepts like front, behind, above, below, and under and can find objects when directed with spatial words. I can identify pairs of items like shoes, socks, and clothes from a pile of similar items. My attention is improving, and I can guess the hidden objects under bowls by recalling the last seen position. I can anticipate who is at the door based on which person has gone out or what time it is. I can remember and imitate the actions of various animals when prompted, like "How does a chimpanzee do?" I start to recognize 2-3 letters and can speak and point to them when prompted.
Additional Communication Development: I try to suck through a straw, although I may or may not succeed in getting the liquid yet. I can blow air through a tube, mostly in small bursts, to move light objects like cotton balls. I can use "no" to decline instructions or offerings, but the concept of "yes" is still building up. I can repeat almost all letters after you and can recite a string of 2–3 alphabets when asked. I can recite numbers from 1 to 10 along with you, although my understanding of numbers is still under development. I can express myself using a combination of multiple actions and words, making it easy to understand what I want or am trying to say. I can identify and speak the names of 4–6 animals or birds. I can identify and name 4–6 fruits. My expressive vocabulary is growing, and I can speak about 15–25 words on a need-to-express basis.
Additional Social and Emotional Development: I engage with other babies when encouraged, although I still like to play with an adult. I greet family members with "good morning" and "good night" when prompted or when others greet. I show better emotional responses to unpleasant situations when you talk about possible outcomes and offer alternate options. I am starting to mingle with other parents and babies, although I still want you to be close by. I understand the start and end of an activity and celebrate successful attempts. I can identify myself by name and answer questions like "Who did this?" with my own name.
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!