Introduction
Mumma, Dada, did you know that by the end of my twenty-first 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 jump up and down from a low height. I kick a ball, follow it, and kick it again consecutively several times. I can change speed, stop, and start again with greater ease while walking. I can crouch down and maintain a squatting position for longer periods of time while exploring.
Fine Motor Skills: I can build a tower of four to six blocks. I can turn round-shaped doorknobs. I try to open and close screw-top lids, though it will take over a year to perfect this skill.
Cognitive Development: I can separate objects into two groups based on characteristics like size, color, or shape. I have a basic understanding of the concept of size. I can identify some colors, usually the primary colors. My spatial awareness has expanded, and I understand the location of objects and myself (in front of or behind, above or below).
Speech Development: I understand the concept of possessive pronouns like "mine" and "yours." I use two- and three-word phrases with some frequency. My vocabulary and ability to pronounce some words clearly continue to improve daily.
Self-Care: If prompted, I can help with more complex household chores, like organizing my room.
Social-Emotional Development: My separation anxiety is reduced, and I can endure short spans of separation more easily. I can spend more time with other kids, though I may not proactively interact with them. I am more open to socializing with adults other than my immediate family.
Types of my developmental milestones
Other Development Highlights: Even though I may not be ready, my desire for independence makes me want to complete my bathroom routine without your help, like combing my hair, brushing my teeth, and drying off. Some children start to develop strong preferences for daily-use items, like a favorite shirt or cup. I play at imitating observed adult behaviors, like pretending to talk on the phone. I test the limits and rules set by parents by engaging in defiant behavior.
Additional Physical Development: I can stack up to 10 square blocks to form a tower. I start to pull a string to open simple knots. I can open screw bottles, flap bottles, and pull-cap bottles independently.
Additional Cognitive Development: I can identify shapes like square, triangle, and circle, although sometimes I get confused. I can ask for help by looking or making sounds when needed. I start to identify 2-4 primary colors when asked questions like "What color is this box?" or "Which sock is blue?" I can identify and speak 5–10 letters and point to them when asked, like "Where is A?" I can learn to hide objects as part of play. I start to identify 2-3 colors when prompted, like "Which one is red?" I ask for colors, and it has become an everyday routine with fingers being used as a brush while using watercolors.
Additional Communication Development: I can blow air through a straw to move small paper balls. I can understand and follow 2-3 simple commands. I can identify songs and express a choice through the words or characters of the song. I can answer questions involving "what" and "where" with good understanding, like "Where is your book?" and "What do you want to eat?"
Additional Social and Emotional Development: I can understand when I need help and can call out for it using words and actions. I start to identify expressions like sad, frowning, smiling, laughing, and crying, and I can mimic a few of them. I display emotional outbursts through actions like falling, biting, and throwing. Soft negotiation before an outburst can sometimes avoid it. I have begun to talk with other familiar kids my age or older. I can perform household chores when instructed, like putting utensils in the washbasin, cleaning my belongings, and helping to put vegetables in the fridge.
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!