19 Month Milestones: What to Expect and How to Support Your Toddler’s Development

At 19 months, your toddler is going through a period of rapid cognitive, emotional, and social development. During this time, they will be acquiring new skills and reaching important milestones that will set the foundation for their future growth and learning. It is important for parents and caregivers to understand what to expect during this stage and how to support their child’s development.

One of the key areas of development at 19 months is cognitive skills. Your toddler will be able to understand and follow simple instructions, solve simple problems, and imitate actions and behaviors. They will also start to show an interest in sorting and categorizing objects, as well as recognizing and naming familiar objects and pictures.

Communication and language skills also continue to develop at this age. Your toddler will be able to say several words and may even start putting two words together to form simple phrases. They will also begin to understand more complex instructions and will be able to point to body parts when asked. Encouraging their language development through reading, talking, and singing to them can greatly support their language skills.

Emotional growth is another important aspect of development at 19 months. Your toddler will start to show a wider range of emotions and may have tantrums or meltdowns when they are frustrated or unable to express themselves. It is important to provide a safe and supportive environment for them to express their emotions and to help them develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Social skills also begin to blossom at this age. Your toddler will start to show an interest in playing with other children and may engage in simple pretend play. They will also begin to understand the concept of sharing and taking turns, although they may still struggle with these skills. Encouraging social interactions and providing opportunities for playdates and group activities can help foster their social development.

Physical Milestones

During the 19th month, your toddler will continue to experience significant growth and development in various areas, including physical skills, cognitive abilities, emotional development, motor skills, social skills, and communication.

Physically, your toddler may start to show improved coordination and balance. They may be able to walk, run, and climb stairs with more confidence and stability. They may also begin to kick a ball, throw objects, and attempt to catch them. These physical milestones are important for their overall development and can help them become more independent and active.

In terms of cognitive development, your toddler may become more curious and interested in exploring their environment. They may start to imitate actions and gestures, such as pretending to talk on the phone or feed a doll. They may also begin to recognize and name familiar objects and body parts.

Emotionally, your toddler may start to show more independence and assertiveness. They may have strong preferences and opinions and may express their likes and dislikes more clearly. They may also start to show empathy and understanding towards others, such as comforting a crying friend or sibling.

Motor skills continue to develop during this stage, with your toddler refining their fine motor skills, such as using a spoon or crayon. They may also start to show an interest in self-care activities, such as brushing their teeth or washing their hands.

Socially, your toddler may become more interested in playing with other children and may start to engage in simple pretend play. They may also begin to understand and follow simple instructions and rules. This is an important milestone for their social development and can help them build relationships and interact with others.

Communication skills also continue to improve, with your toddler starting to use more words and phrases to express themselves. They may be able to understand and follow simple commands and may start to use gestures and body language to communicate their needs and wants.

Overall, the 19th month is an exciting time for your toddler’s development, as they continue to grow and acquire new skills in various areas. It is important to provide them with a supportive and stimulating environment to encourage their growth and development.

Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills refer to the physical abilities that involve the large muscles of the body, such as crawling, walking, running, jumping, and climbing. At 19 months, your toddler will continue to develop and refine these skills, becoming more coordinated and confident in their movements.

Language skills are closely linked to gross motor development. As your toddler becomes more mobile, they will have more opportunities to explore their environment and interact with others. This increased physical activity can also support the development of cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and spatial awareness.

Social and emotional growth is also influenced by gross motor skills. Through physical play, toddlers learn to take turns, share, and cooperate with others. They also gain a sense of independence and self-confidence as they master new physical challenges.

As a parent or caregiver, there are many ways you can support your toddler’s gross motor development. Provide a safe and stimulating environment for them to explore and practice their skills. Encourage physical play and activities that promote balance, coordination, and strength, such as playing with balls, climbing on age-appropriate playground equipment, and dancing.

Communication is key in supporting your toddler’s gross motor skills. Use simple and clear language to describe their movements and encourage them to try new activities. Offer praise and encouragement for their efforts, even if they are not yet able to fully master a skill. Remember that every child develops at their own pace, and with your support and guidance, they will continue to grow and thrive.

Fine Motor Skills

As your toddler continues to grow and develop, their fine motor skills will also progress. Fine motor skills involve the use of small muscles in the hands and fingers, and they are essential for tasks such as grasping objects, using utensils, and manipulating small objects.

By 19 months, your toddler may be able to:

• Stack blocks or toys
• Turn pages in a book
• Use a spoon or fork to feed themselves
• Hold a crayon or marker and make marks on paper
• Put objects into containers

Supporting your toddler’s fine motor skills development can be done through various activities. Provide them with age-appropriate toys and materials that encourage manipulation and exploration. Puzzles, building blocks, and playdough are great options.

Encourage your toddler to practice self-feeding by offering finger foods and utensils. This will help them refine their hand-eye coordination and improve their grip.

Engage in activities that involve hand-eye coordination, such as playing catch with a soft ball or rolling a ball back and forth. These activities help your toddler develop their motor skills while also promoting social interaction.

Remember to be patient and supportive as your toddler learns and grows. Celebrate their achievements and provide gentle guidance when needed. By nurturing their fine motor skills, you are setting a foundation for their overall physical, cognitive, and emotional development.

Cognitive Milestones

At 19 months old, your toddler is continuing to make significant strides in their cognitive development. They are becoming more curious about the world around them and are eager to explore and learn new things. Here are some cognitive milestones you can expect to see in your 19-month-old:

Skills	Description
Problem-solving	Your toddler will start to show problem-solving skills, such as figuring out how to stack blocks or fit shapes into the correct holes.
Imagination	They will begin to engage in imaginative play, using objects to represent other things and creating their own stories.
Memory	Your toddler’s memory is improving, and they may be able to remember and recall events from the past.
Attention span	They will have a longer attention span and be able to focus on activities for a longer period of time.
Language development	Their vocabulary will continue to expand, and they will start to use two-word phrases to communicate their needs and wants.
Problem-solving	Your toddler will start to show problem-solving skills, such as figuring out how to stack blocks or fit shapes into the correct holes.

It’s important to support your toddler’s cognitive growth by providing them with age-appropriate toys and activities that stimulate their curiosity and problem-solving skills. Encourage their imagination through pretend play and engage in conversations to help further develop their language skills. Remember, every child develops at their own pace, so don’t compare your toddler to others. Celebrate their achievements and continue to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for their cognitive development.