A 23-month-old baby is rapidly gaining independence while actively exploring their surroundings. This stage brings notable progress in both physical and cognitive development. Here’s what to expect as your 23-month-old grows:

Physical Development

Movement and Coordination

At this age, children are adept at running, jumping, and climbing. Improved balance allows them to move more confidently. With an increasing drive to explore, ensuring a safe environment is essential.

Fine Motor Skills

Your child can now grasp smaller objects with ease. Skills like holding a crayon or feeding themselves with a spoon are developing well. Drawing with crayons may capture their interest as they begin to explore creativity.

Cognitive Development

A 23-month-old's cognitive skills progress quickly, enhancing their understanding of their environment. Problem-solving abilities emerge, and thinking processes become more complex.

Problem Solving and Comprehension

They can now understand relationships between objects, such as opening a box or assembling toys. Activities like these encourage cognitive growth and build problem-solving skills.

Imitation and Imaginative Play

At this stage, children love to imitate adults around them. They engage in pretend play, like feeding a doll or pretending to talk on the phone, mirroring daily life scenarios.

Language Development

Communication skills see significant advancements, with an expanding vocabulary that enables them to express emotions and form short sentences.

New Words and Expressiveness

Expect to hear 2-3 word sentences like "mommy give water" or "play ball." Daily conversations with your child introduce many new words, helping build their language skills.

Understanding Simple Instructions

Your child can follow simple commands, such as "Pick up the toys" or "Put on your shoes," which supports both cognitive and language development.

Social and Emotional Development

As their social skills progress, 23-month-olds start showing a wider range of emotions and a growing sense of independence.

Independence

Children at this age love to do things independently, especially in daily routines like eating and dressing. Encouraging this independence fosters confidence and motor skills.

Emotional Reactions

Your child’s emotions are now easier to interpret, as they may laugh when happy or cry when sad. They also begin to recognize and respond to the feelings of others, showing early signs of empathy.

Sleep Habits

A 23-month-old typically has an established sleep routine. They sleep longer at night and may take one short nap during the day.

Nighttime Sleep

Most children sleep through the night, though some may still wake occasionally. A consistent bedtime routine is beneficial for their development.

Daytime Naps

One or two short naps during the day help recharge their energy. Maintaining a structured sleep schedule is helpful.

Nutrition

By now, your child is fully accustomed to solid foods, and a balanced diet becomes crucial. A mix of food groups is essential to support healthy growth.

Solid Foods

Children at this age enjoy a greater variety of foods, from fruits and vegetables to grains and proteins. A balanced diet supports overall development.

Eating Habits

They may prefer to feed themselves. Exposing them to various flavors and textures helps develop healthy eating habits and preferences.

Play and Activities

Play is essential for both social and cognitive development at this age. Here are some activities you can enjoy together:

• Books: Picture books enhance vocabulary and support language development.
• Puzzles and Building Blocks: Simple puzzles and building blocks improve fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Ball Games: Playing with balls builds hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills.

Doctor Checkups and Vaccinations

Regular checkups ensure that your child is growing healthily. Following your pediatrician’s advice on vaccinations and other health precautions is important.