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10 Developmental Milestones of a 20 Month Old Baby
The development of a 20 month old baby is always an interesting phase, as growth does not stop. During this stage, motor, mental, and emotional skills are significantly refined. This is when toddlers become curious and start moving around more than before.
They are also particularly active and want to learn more about their surroundings through play. Now, let’s look at the wonderful positive development and growth milestones characterising this fascinating early childhood period.
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What Most Babies Do by 20 Months?
At 20 months, babies can perform a variety of development milestones indicative of their growing independence and curiosity. They have also increased their activities, which include physical and mental activities, making them more active in investigating the surroundings.
There is much improvement in the language constructs because children can comprehend and utilise many words. Parents can also observe emotional development as toddlers show love and anger more easily. These milestones are barometers of normal development.
20 Month Milestones & Development Checklist
By 20 months, toddlers can develop optimally in terms of the different skills, which include motor skills and communication. Below are the critical milestones that an expert in child development anticipates for an 20 month old child:
1. Movement Milestones For a 20 Month Old Baby
Movement Milestones for a 20 month old:
- Running with Confidence: Most toddlers will run from one and a half years and beyond, and rhythm and coordination are beginning to develop.
- Climbing and Exploring: At this age, children tend to climb everywhere, trying to get on top of tables, chairs, and/or play structures.
- Throwing Balls: They start to become able to aim as they throw a ball, and those who are a little older might begin to throw it as well.
- Dancing and Moving to Music: It is important to note that most toddlers in this age group enjoy sitting, watching dance, or moving to music as they feel.
- Walking Up and Down Stairs: In most instances, they could go upstairs and downstairs while holding onto an adult’s hand or a railing.
2. Visual and Hearing Milestones For a 20 Month Old Baby
Visual Milestones:
They are twenty months old, and your child's developing visual skills are the best way to connect and interact with the world.
- Identification of Known People and Things: They can recognise and respond to people or objects they already know, with much more improvement in recognition.
- Pursuit of Quick Moved Objects: Younger children use their eyes to follow objects in motion, showing better eye coordination quickly.
- Looking for Particular Features: There is also an unusual tendency to examine the features of objects such as pictures, cartoons, other everyday materials, and books.
- Classifying and Combining: At this stage, your child may be able to group objects according to colour or size, indicating mental and visual development.
Hearing Milestones:
Hearing and auditory processing skills by 20 months are improving in your child, allowing them to receive and respond more effectively. Here’s what you may want to watch out for.
- Imitating Sounds And Words: They might copy some sounds or a few words at best. The mimicry of speech provides practice, which develops this skill.
- Understanding simple verbs: They can follow commands like "come" or "sit." This showcases their growing understanding of language and ability to process instructions.
- Responding to Sound: They will turn their head towards sounds and respond to voices. This indicates their development and increasing engagement with their environment.
3. Smell and Touch Milestones For a 20 Month Old Baby
Smell Milestones:
This sensory milestone demonstrates a child's increasing ability to act in the surrounding environment.
- Differentiating Pleasant and Unpleasant Smells: They react to different odours, smiling at pleasant smells and grimacing at unpleasant ones.
- Recognition of Food Smells: Your kid will probably become curious about the various food smells offered and even want to taste different foods.
Touch Milestones:
By 20 months, your baby’s sense of touch is well-developed, enabling them to explore. This milestone highlights their growing tactile sensitivity and motor skills.
- Identifying Body Parts: When prompted, they can identify body parts like "nose," "eyes," or "hands," improving their awareness of touch and self.
- Using Fingers to Pinch Small Objects: They can use a pincer grasp to pick up tiny objects, enhancing their fine motor skills through touch.
- Touching Books and Pages: They enjoy touching books, especially textured or interactive ones, increasing their engagement with different materials.
- Playing with Toys with Different Shapes: They explore toys with various shapes by feeling and manipulating them, improving spatial awareness.
4. Sleep Milestones For a 20 Month Old Baby
Sleep Milestones for a 20 month old:
- Regular And Adequate Sleep: They generally have about 10-12 hours of uninterrupted sleep during the night. We may notice a regular pattern in their sleeping habits.
- Naptime Twice A Day: Generally, two naps are sufficient, especially one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
- Affordable Sleeping Pattern: Activities before sleeping, such as reading good books or listening to cotton wool music, are an excellent way to prepare the little ones.
- Nights Without Waking: Children sometimes wake at night and sleep longer than they sleep.
5. Health Milestones For a 20 Month Old Baby
Here’s a chart summarising the growth standards for a 20 month old baby:
Regular check-ups with a paediatrician can provide further insights into your child's growth patterns.
6. Feeding Milestones for a 20 Month Old Baby
Feeding Milestones for a 20 month old:
- Eating a Variety of Foods: They must embrace a varied eating culture, such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, and many more, making them grow well.
- Initiating Self-feeding: An age when children can savagely help themselves with cutleries by eating without anyone being fed, and that includes the parents.
- Getting Food Preferences: They begin to round around ones within that age group and certain types of food to ‘circle’ around, slowly gaining some types and textures.
- Drinking Cups: There has been a change in the migrants, who have turned from breastfeeding their children to sippy cups or normal cups later.
7. Schedule and Routine Milestones For a 20 Month Old Baby
Here is the following schedule for an 20 month old:
8. Social Milestones For a 20 Month Old Baby
Social Milestones for an 20 month old:
- Displaying Affection: Approaching and showing physical affection is also affectionate, as they may offer hugs, kisses, or cuddles with familiar personnel.
- Showing Affection: They may give hugs, kisses, or cuddles to familiar people, demonstrating emotional bonding and affection.
- Waving Goodbye or Saying Hello: They wave goodbye or say hello, displaying basic social manners and understanding social cues.
9. Languages/Communication Milestones for a 20 Month Old Baby
Language/Communication Milestones for a 20 month old:
- Word Vocabulary Expansion: At this level of development, children still possess a vocabulary of about 50 to 100 words and may begin the formation of phrases.
- Following Simple Instructions: They can comprehend actions such as sitting down or closing a door upon command.
- Expressing Needs and Wants: They use language to request what they need, for example, food or a particular toy.
10. Play Milestones for a 20 Month Old Baby
Play Milestones for a 20 month old:
- Simple Pretend Play: They begin to perform such activities as pretending to phone someone and feeding a doll.
- Exploring Different Toys: The contents of the toys are not focused; instead, they seem to enjoy different kinds of toys and seem to enjoy figuring out how to play with the toys.
- Interactive Play: They may play with others but on a fundamental level involving some simple actions, for example, pushing the ball and catching it back.
Different Engaging Developmental Activities for a 20 Month Old Baby
1. Obstacle Courses
Set up a simple course using cushions, tunnels, and toys for your toddler to climb over or crawl under. This builds coordination, balance, and motor skills. It’s also a great way to burn off energy while having fun.2. Shape Sorting Games
Offer a shape-sorting toy to help your child match different shapes to their slots. It enhances hand-eye coordination and teaches basic geometry in a fun way. Sorting also boosts problem-solving skills.3. Cup Hide and Seek
Hide a small toy under one of several cups and mix them up, encouraging your toddler to find the hidden object. This improves focus, memory, and problem-solving skills. It’s a fun and interactive way to engage their curiosity.4. Balloon Pop
Blow up some balloons and encourage your toddler to pop them by stomping or sitting on them. This activity helps with coordination and builds excitement through sensory play. It’s also a fun way to improve hand-eye coordination.5. Puppet Play
Use finger puppets to create stories or encourage your child to mimic actions. This boosts language development and social interaction. Puppets also help children express emotions and build confidence.6. Nature Walk and Object Collection
Take your toddler outside on a nature walk and collect safe items like leaves or stones. This will enhance their awareness of the environment, promote sensory exploration, and stimulate curiosity.7. Simple Number Puzzles
Introduce simple wooden or cardboard puzzles with large pieces. Completing puzzles improves problem-solving abilities and cognitive development. It also helps them build concentration and patience.8. Playdough
Give your toddler colourful playdough to squish, mould, and shape into fun creations. This activity enhances fine motor skills and sensory exploration. It also fosters a sense of creativity and imaginative play in toddlers.9. Floral Fun
Collect flowers or petals and let your toddler feel, smell, and explore them, or arrange them into simple patterns. This engages their senses while fostering a connection to nature. It’s a calming, tactile activity that encourages observation skills.Safety Tips For a 20 Month Old Baby
At 20 months, toddlers are curious and increasingly mobile, which makes safety more crucial. Here are some essential safety tips to keep your 20 month old baby secure and thriving:
How to Support a Baby's Development at 20 Months?
Supporting a baby's development at 20 months is crucial as they undergo significant growth and learning milestones. They explore their world more actively and develop new skills at this age. Here are ways to support their development:
1. Promote Self-Feeding
Allow your baby to practice eating with their hands and using utensils. Provide a variety of nutritious foods that they can explore and try. Encourage independence at mealtimes while offering assistance as needed. Praise their efforts to build confidence.2. Nutrition
At 20 months, toddlers may have preferences, but offering various colourful, soft foods encourages balanced eating. Let them explore different tastes and textures. Presenting food in fun shapes can make mealtime more enjoyable.3. Teething
Teething can cause discomfort, so offering chilled items like a frozen washcloth soothes sore gums. Use child-safe pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen if needed. White noise at bedtime may help them settle more comfortably.4. Encourage Problem-Solving
Provide toys and activities that involve problem-solving, like simple puzzles or toys that fit together. Show them how to solve simple challenges, and then let them try independently. Offer encouragement and praise for their attempts and successes.5. Ensure Safe Exploration
Create a safe environment where your baby can explore freely. Use safety gates, outlet covers, and cabinet locks to prevent accidents. Supervise their play and exploration to ensure they are safe while learning and discovering.6. Encourage Physical Activity
Incorporate physical activities that strengthen muscles and coordination. Play games that involve climbing, reaching, or balancing. Provide safe spaces for active play and exploration. Regular physical activity supports overall health and development.7. Develop Healthy Sleep Habits
Establish a consistent bedtime routine to promote restful sleep. Ensure their sleep environment is safe and comfortable. Monitor nap and sleep patterns to ensure they are getting adequate rest. Good sleep supports overall development and well-being.When to Talk to the Paediatrician?
Regular checkups are good, especially for young children, but some changes may require paediatric attention very fast. Here’s when to consult the paediatrician:
Persistent Fever:
If your baby has a fever lasting more than a few days or a temperature above 100.4°F (38°C), consult a paediatrician.Unusual Weight Loss or Gain:
Significant weight changes, whether loss or gain, can signal health problems.Difficulty Breathing or Persistent Cough:
Any signs of breathing difficulties warrant a consultation, such as wheezing or difficulty breathing.Excessive Vomiting or Diarrhoea:
Frequent vomiting or diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and may indicate an infection or other health concerns.Rashes or Skin Changes:
Unexplained rashes, itching, or changes in skin colour could be signs of allergies or infections.Behavioural Changes:
Sudden or severe changes in behaviour, such as extreme irritability or withdrawal, might indicate underlying issues.Injury or Accident:
If your baby suffers a fall, bump, or other injury, it’s essential to consult a paediatrician, especially if there’s any swelling, bruising, or signs of pain.FAQs about 20 Month Developmental Milestones
What milestones should a 20 month old be doing?
A 20 month old should walk confidently, begin running, stack blocks, and imitate simple actions. They may follow simple commands and engage in parallel play with other children.
How much can a 20 month old understand?
A 20 month old understands basic instructions, recognises familiar objects and people, and responds to names. They grasp simple words and may understand more than they can verbally express.
How to take care of a 20 month old baby?
Ensure balanced meals, regular sleep, and active play. Promote social interaction, provide consistent routines, and encourage exploration while ensuring safety.
What is the normal language development of a 20 month old?
A 20 month old typically says around 50 words, may start combining two words, and imitates simple words. They understand more words than they can speak.
Is there a developmental leap at 20 months?
Yes, around 20 months, children may experience a leap in language skills, motor abilities, and social interactions. They may become more independent and show new cognitive skills.
What motor development skills develop at 20 months?
What is the feeding schedule for a 20 month old?
A typical feeding schedule includes three main meals and two snacks. Offer a variety of foods with protein, fruits, vegetables, and grains in manageable portions.
What should I teach my 20 month old?
Focus on teaching simple words, colours, and basic counting. Encourage independent play, sharing, and self-care skills like hand washing or spooning.
What to expect at the age of 20 months?
Expect increased independence, new words, improved motor skills, and social interactions. Tantrums may become more frequent as toddlers express frustration or independence.
How many words can a 20 month old say?
A 20 month old typically says around 50-100 words. Their vocabulary expands rapidly, and they may combine words into simple phrases.
How much should a 20 month old weigh?
The average weight for a 20 month old is between 10-13 kg, depending on genetics and growth patterns. Regular paediatric checkups ensure they’re growing healthily.
What is speech delay at 20 months old?
Speech delay occurs when a toddler speaks fewer than 50 words or struggles to communicate effectively. Early assessment helps identify potential causes and treatments.
Are tantrums normal at 20 months?
Yes, tantrums are common as toddlers experience frustration while expressing themselves. Patience, consistency, and offering choices can help manage these emotional outbursts.
Important Articles about Infant Developmental Milestones
Disclaimer
- This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
- All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
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