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| Is on the move— walking and climbing up stairs on all fours. Remember, just because he can get up those stairs doesn’t mean he can get down! That’s when he’ll need some help. | Create lots of safe places in your home where your child can explore without any fear of danger. Left to his own devices, in a safe environment, your baby will do all kinds of exciting things: crawl under tables, cruise around a coffee table, stand on his own, practice balancing, and take his first steps. |
| Is learning to communicate. His skills are growing in leaps and bounds. He’ll use his gestures as well as his voice, to show you what he wants. He’ll point to the refrigerator door when he’s hungry, and drag you to his toy shelf to point to what he wants. | - Read, read and read some more.
- Label his feelings for him. “You’re mad that I took the stick away!”
- Narrate what’s happening. “We’re rolling the ball. You have the ball…now I have the ball.”
- When he says part of a word, repeat the “true” word for him. When he says, “juju,” you say, “You want juice.”
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| Is learning how things work. As he learns about the objects around him, like toothbrushes and telephones, he’ll want to use them all by himself. | - Offer toys that represent objects in his world, such as telephones or play food, to help him practice being a “big person.”
- Give your child the chance to make things happen. Blow bubbles outdoors that he can chase, poke and pop. Give him simple musical instruments like a tambourine or maraca.
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| Will want to “do it myself,” and participate in daily routines. This kind of involvement will enhance his development on all fronts: physical, intellectual, social and emotional. Plus, he’ll delight in connecting with you around “real work.” | - Include your child in everyday activities. He will feel proud and competent when he helps you do simple chores such as putting the napkins on the table.
- Let him help as you dress him. He can get his arms into sleeves and feet into shoes, and he’ll feel so proud of his accomplishments.
- Give him a spoon and let him try to feed himself soft foods like yogurt or applesauce.
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Source: The Magic of Everyday Moments, ages 12–15 months. © ZERO TO THREE, 2000.