The newborn days seem like they will never end, the long nights suddenly turn into long days. And then slowly, and most of the time without you noticing, they’re 6 months old. Then their first birthday arrives – and there is still so much to look forward to.
So what are some of the milestones that you are going to be seeing between 1 and 5 years old?
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Big Bed
This one can happen whenever you think your baby is ready, but typically will be around 2 years of age. A good rule of thumb is to make the transition when your baby can stand on the lowest mattress setting for the crib – and the top rail is across the chest. This is even more important if you happen to have a climber.
Some babies don’t mind so much, and they are happy to be in the crib a little longer. There is a lot of fun here when you are choosing their first ‘big bed’ sheets and other comforts for them.
Tidy Up
Somewhere around the 18-month mark, they will be a dab hand at pulling all of their toys out. But, now you have the perfect opportunity to teach them how to tidy up their toys back up again.
It won’t go perfectly every time, and sometimes there might be a tantrum while they exercise their opinions – but it is an excellent thing for them to learn.
Simple chores like carrying their plastic plate to the kitchen, or putting their blocks away help them understand a little bit about responsibility.
Dentist
You will have to decide when the best time to take the children to the dentist is. Most often, a child’s first tooth will spear somewhere around 6 months. It is recommended that you take your child no later than age 3, to help with and preventative care.
It also gives them time to get used to what ‘going to the dentist’ means, and what will happen.
Playdates and Pre-school
If you have been lucky enough to have friends with children in the same age group, you’re probably already having playdates. If not, then see if you can find a stay-and-play in the area that you like the look of.
The importance of early childhood education can never be underestimated, and all of these interactions build the foundations for a successful school experience later on.
Tricycle
This one is a lot of fun but might take some time to master. There might not be much in the way or coordination, but your little one has the balance and core muscles to make this fun.
Learning to pedal and keep balance on a tricycle is the perfect precursor to learning to ride a bike, which many children learn to do around the age of 4.
Conversations
You’ve likely been having conversations with your little one since they were born. However, after about 6 months, you’re likely to start getting some gestures and noises in response.
After 12 months of age, the noises may begin to sound more like words, and then from 2 onwards, you might begin to find it challenging to fit a word in yourself!
Featured image source: Freepik
