Even though children at this age have a wide variety of gross motor movements, it will take a few more months to master them. They will gradually kick a ball more accurately, throw a ball farther, and improve their stability when walking or dancing, falling less frequently.

When they read books with you, they recognize more and more animals and the sounds they make. They will also want to turn the pages of the book by themselves, but if the pages are thin, they will usually turn two to three at a time. The child’s ability to tear paper, along with other new fine motor skills, allow them to unwrap items that are not too small.

Many children begin to form sentences of 2 or 3 words using telegraphic language, meaning that they use the minimum number of words required in order to be understood (“want milk” or “go sleep,” for example). Some also start using possessive pronouns, and you may not be surprised to know that the first one is usually “mine!”

Months exploring and following the routines that you have established allow them to begin associating objects with their respective activities. For example, they know that a spoon is used at mealtime, a towel is used at bath time, and shoes are part of getting dressed.