Parents must be aware of the developmental milestones in toddlers so that they can encourage them. Have a quick look at a 16-month-old toddler’s growth and development.Chatter chatter chatter! Is that what you get to hear from your toddler all the time now? Well, get prepared for the talks and vocal sounds she makes. After all she has so much to say! Even though she appears talkative, she may look shy in front of strangers and a new environment. She shall be at her best at home and continue with practice of her new vocal skills.
As the days pass by, you find it difficult to make her sit in one place for long. She shall be busy investigating everything that comes by her way. This brings in a lot of responsibilities for you. You need to keep a close watch on her and ensure whatever she is doing is safe.
Do not get anxious if she is not too keen about sitting in her stroller for long. You can keep her distracted with foods and biscuits she loves. If you are carrying her on a bag back, you shall find it getting heavier, making it difficult for you to carry.
Here we shall look closer at your 16-month-old
toddler’s development.
16-Month-Old Toddler’s Growth and Development:
She is now more imaginative, a wanderer and loves discovering the world around her. You may find her fascinated seeing the simplest things like an ant's nest or water dripping from a tap. She can now point her finger towards the thing she is looking at.
Be prepared for the word "no" coming from her often. Do not let yourself bother if you find her lying down on the floor, thrashing her head in protest. These oppositional behaviours shall soon wither away when she learns to express her feelings well.
It might get difficult for your toddler to fit herself in her little cot. Also, you must be careful and take away additional linen and pillow from it. Too active
toddlers have a habit of stacking them and climb up the railing.
You must also be careful of the power points at home, the unsealed toiletries and substances that can be potentially harmful. Although she may act like an independent individual, you cannot expect her to understand the difference between what is safe what can be harmful.
Eating Patterns of a 16-Month-Old Toddler’s
Your toddler is now eating foods that your family has daily for dinner or lunch. There is no reason to cook separately for her. It is important you restrict in-between snacks and offer her the foods she dislikes when he is the hungriest.
Rejecting foods is common among toddlers and you need not brood over it. Even if she is refusing foods flatly, you must keep insisting her to take them. Keep in mind the foods she loves and give them along with those she does not like.
Foods that you should avoid giving to a 16-month-old child include tea, coffee, artificial juices, sweets, candies, toffees, lollipops and cold drinks. Foods rich in sugar content shall cause significant harm to her teeth enamel. Snacking foods are known to increase chances of acid attacks and
dental decays, so stay away from such junks.
If you are still
bottle feeding, it is high time you let that go now. Help her adjust without it and offer her milk in sippy cups or attractive mugs.
In case you have any concerns about her developments, you can always bring it up to your doctor. If she was born prematurely, then must keep proper track of her growth and development.
Milestones discussed here are just general guidelines. You must not get worried if your toddler takes a little longer to attain some of them. She may just need a few more months to develop his new skills and become an independent individual. Make sure to be around her through all the stages of her growth and development.
What developments can be expected in a 16-month-old toddler? How to encourage developmental milestones in toddler? What foods should parents avoid giving to toddlers? Discuss here. 
