16 Month Old Baby
What to Expect in Your 16 Month Old Baby
You now have a 16 month old baby. It is an exciting time for watching your little one grow and change. Are you getting the hang of being a parent yet? You have made it through the sleepless nights and the midnight feedings and you have ahead of you potty training and the need to completely toddler proof your entire house. It is an exciting time, and it is a really fun age. Below is a bit of what you can expect from your 16th month old baby.
She’s Your Gym Partner
Well, not exactly, but because she loves to use her newly discovered skill of running, she is likely helping to keep you in tip top shape. Your 16th month old baby loves to run as often as she can, so that means you will need to spend a good deal of time chasing her.
A Mind of Her Own
It is during this age that many parents begin to see the development of their child’s distinct personality. Perhaps they will show signs of being a bit introverted or always wanting to be the star of the show. They will also start to understand their own likes and dislikes and will have very little problem sharing those findings with you.
Dexterity
A 16 month old baby is starting to get better skills involving his fingers and hands. Instead of just pushing the blocks around, he may actually start building small stacks. While not perfect, his coordination is showing signs of improvement.
Hugs and Kisses
Your 16 month old baby is no dummy. She knows what she likes and she likes hugs, kisses and all the fawning, baby talk laden attention that goes along with them. She is beginning to understand that certain behaviors will result in a certain reaction from her parents. This is why if you laugh and pay attention to her when she does a little dance, she is likely to do it again.
Keep in mind that she will not understand that while you think something is cute and funny that you may also think it is inappropriate. That is why you must be mindful of which behaviors you are reinforcing during this critical stage of development.
Drawing
While perhaps not ready for art lessons in Paris, a 16 month old baby is ready to begin exploring his artistic side. You could start with simple finger paints and then move on to chubby crayons that are made specifically for little fingers.
Encourage his creativity by fawning over his artwork.
While having a 16 month old baby is still full of challenges, parents are starting to be rewarded by seeing the distinct personalities of their little ones starting to shine through.
Just remember, that this is a critical developmental stage. You should reinforce good behavior, but also be sure to discourage inappropriate behavior.
Most of all, make sure to take the time to thoroughly enjoy your 16 month old baby. You will blink, and these moments will be gone forever.