What to Expect the Toddler Years (28 page)

By the end of this month,
*
your toddler
. . . should be able to (see Note):

walk well

bend over and pick up an object

use at least 1 word

Note:
If your toddler has not reached these milestones, consult the doctor or nurse-practitioner. This rate of development may well be normal for your child (some children are late bloomers), but it needs to be evaluated. Also check with the doctor or nurse-practitioner if your toddler seems out-of-control, uncommunicative, overly passive, highly negative, doesn’t smile, makes few or no sounds, doesn’t seem to hear well, is perpetually irritable, or demands constant attention. (But remember, the one-year-old who was born prematurely often lags behind others of the same chronological age. This developmental gap progressively narrows and generally disappears entirely around age two.)

. . . will probably be able to:

use 2 words (by 14½ months)

drink from a cup

scribble

point to a desired object

. . . may possibly be able to:

point to 1 body part when asked

use a spoon/fork (but not exclusively)

build a tower of 2 cubes

. . . may even be able to:

“feed” a doll

Emotional development
: At fifteen months, toddlers can be expected to communicate pleasure, warmth, interest in new experiences; to play games with parents; to protest; to begin to accept limits.

Preparing for the checkup.
Keep a list of concerns that have come up since the last visit. Be sure to bring the questions with you to this visit so you’ll be ready when the doctor or nurse asks, “Any concerns?” Also jot down new skills your toddler is displaying (walking, climbing, using a spoon, using new words) so you’ll be ready when the doctor asks, “What’s your toddler been doing?” Bring along your child’s home health history record, too, so that height, weight, immunizations, and any other information gleaned from the visit can be recorded.

What the checkup will be like.
Procedures will vary a bit depending on your child’s doctor or the nurse-practitioner who conducts health supervision exams, but in most cases, the fifteen-month visit will include:

Questions about your child’s development, behavior, eating habits, and health since the last visit. There may also be questions about how the family is doing in general, whether there have been any major stresses or changes, how siblings (if any) are getting along with your toddler, about how you are coping, about child-care arrangements (if any). The doctor will also want to know whether you have any other questions or concerns.