Introduction
Mumma, Dada, did you know that by the end of my twenty-second 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 navigate obstacles with increasing ease, like climbing over, under, or walking sideways to overcome them. I can climb up and down stairs with only one hand on the handrail, though I like to get support from both hands. When dancing, I can speed up or slow down my body movements depending on the rhythm of the music. I run more frequently, usually in a straight line, but I have difficulty stopping suddenly.
Fine Motor Skills: I attempt to imitate circular and semi-circular lines when drawing. I can roll a ball with higher accuracy due to better hand and finger control.
Cognitive Development: I’m starting to understand the concept of day and night, which helps me eventually understand the concept of time. I understand the quantitative difference between one and many. I notice similarities and differences in the characteristics of the objects I interact with. I can identify basic shapes like squares and circles when you mention them.
Speech Development: I use plurals in some words or short phrases. My vocabulary includes around 25–35 words. I enjoy repeating any word or phrase that I find interesting or funny.
Self-Care: I participate more actively in my bathing routine, helping lather soap, wash down, and dry off. I try to use napkins by myself. With a little help, I can peel some easy-to-peel fruits, like a banana.
Social-Emotional Development: I have an increased ability to express emotions, including demonstrations of affection and frustration. I like to help with frequently observed activities; if I see you sweeping, I want to do it too.
Types of my developmental milestones
Other Development Highlights: My babbling is starting to diminish. I like to share interesting things with you and will take the time to show them to you.
Additional Physical Development: I can mimic a few body actions during exercise with an adult. I can open a tap by twisting or lifting the handle, and I can wash my hands when asked to. I enjoy scribbling multiple times every day, even though my control is still not great. I can throw a ball into a box or hit a target from 4-5 feet away. I can throw a ball into a basket from a distance of 3–4 feet when standing at a height.
Additional Cognitive Development: I understand the concept of size and can match jar caps as per the size of jars, though it might take several tries. I can differentiate between big and small items by pointing to their respective items when prompted. The concept of 'big' and'small' is becoming clearer to me. I can identify similar and different expressions in a set of expression drawings or pictures. I understand how shadows are formed and like to interact with or point out shadows. I can pair up similar objects based on color and shape, sometimes with a little help. I can differentiate and point to rough and soft surfaces by feeling them. I understand sticking phenomena and practice using glue, stickers, or a magnet on iron objects.
Additional Communication Development: I can identify more body parts like teeth, chin, tongue, chest, and nails. With some effort, I can speak two words together like "give car," "basket ball," "chocolate cake," "green color," etc. I understand words used in everyday communication and repeat words when I hear adults say them, like a tape recorder. I can fill in the blanks while you sing my favorite rhymes. I can express myself using action words along with nouns, like "give milk," "come papa," "take chocolate," etc. I can identify and name most of the secondary body parts, like the tongue, skin, eyelids, eyebrows, elbow, and wrist. My vocabulary is expanding, and I can identify and name 5–10 animals and birds. My vocabulary is expanding, and I can identify and name 4-6 fruits and 3-4 vegetables. I can express various feelings through body actions like cold, hot, spicy, sleepy, happy, etc.
Additional Social and Emotional Development: My separation anxiety is reducing when you explain the reason for the separation and how long it will be. I like to help and can do things when asked politely, like "please get me a water bottle" or "please switch on the fan." I enjoy serving food items to guests or family members when prompted. I can follow instructions to clean my belongings and also help clean house items in general for fun. My fear of darkness is reducing, and I can use a torch to go inside a room with the lights off. I am more active during bath time by rubbing my hands, legs, face, etc., when asked to clean. I like to get involved in household activities and follow instructions to help you with various chores.
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!