Toddler Milestones: What Can You Expect at 23 Months?

Here are some developmental toddler milestones your 23-month-old can achieve this month-

Identification

• Toddlers can identify pictures they are familiar with
• They may be able to identify and name body parts
• They can identify people or faces from photographs. Some may even find a total stranger similar to a face they know well and point out the similarities
• They are observing a lot and their brains are busy connecting many dots

Communication

• By now, your toddler can say several words, speak small sentences, answer questions asked to them, speak with actions or head nods
• They can also repeat words and phrases they hear

Stranger Anxiety

• They start showing fear towards unknown faces
• If a stranger or even a relative they haven’t met in a while were to talk to them, some may start crying and some may just run and hide behind their parent

Socializing

• Toddlers at this age will try to play with peers and younger kids
• Your toddler might approach another toddler and invite them to play or go and join in their game
• If your toddler has been quietly observing other kids play, they might slowly approach the kid or the group and try to join in
• Some toddlers need a little more time to voluntarily go and play with other kids

Resist Help

• They may resist when you try to help them with their toys or games
• They can insist on wearing their shoes or slippers without help
• Some toddlers may not like you touching their food or helping them with their meals. They will take their own time, make a mess but eat on their own

Emotional Maturity

• Your toddler may hug and kiss you and their peers to show their love
• All you have to do is raise your voice or use a stern tone when they do something wrong and they will burst into tears because they realize they did something wrong

Growth Chart For a 23-Month-Old Toddler

An average 23-month-old height and weight will be as follows-

Girls

Weight – 9.0 – 14.3 Kg
Height- 79.6 – 91.5 cm

Boys

Weight – 9.7 – 14.8 Kg
Height- 81.3 – 92.6 cm

(This chart is just an indication and these parameters may vary from one toddler to another)

Tips to Boost Your 23-Month-Old’s Development

Here are some tips for parents to aid their 23-month-old’s development in attaining their toddler milestones-

1. Encourage Coloring

If your toddler loves coloring or shows interest in art, do it with them. When you color with them, they will sit longer and be more patient in coloring a page. Let them just scribble and improve their finger strength.

2. Play Games

You can play matching or shape-sorting games with your toddler and pretend not to know what to do. They will get all excited to show you what to do. This can help improve their skills and cognitive development. Parent involvement can make a big difference in a toddler’s development (1).

3. Be Patient

Letting your toddler take their own sweet time to wear their shoes or clothes can be very difficult, especially when you are in a hurry. Be patient and let them figure it out. Help them if they ask for it or offer help and do it only after they agree. This will help them become independent and confident individuals (2).

4. Don’t Rush

As a parent of a toddler, you are bound to be in a hurry at all times, rushing from one place to another. Try not to rush your toddler at all times. This can make them anxious and push their little bodies into a fight or flight response, leading to tantrums and meltdowns.

Health And Care of Your Toddler

Here are some ways to effectively take care of your growing toddler’s health-

• If you suspect your toddler has swallowed a battery, do not wait or try to pry it out. Just rush them to the hospital right away. When batteries come in contact with saliva, chemical reactions can start, leading to burns in the digestive tract
• Keep a close watch and repeatedly discourage them from exploring empty sockets or switches
• Encourage them to brush on their own. You can come up with a brushing song or routine to make it fun
• Teach them to wipe their own noses and mouth after a sneeze or cough
• If your toddler has a bad cold or the flu, ensure you consult the doctor and give them medications before it worsens
• Severe colds can lead to earaches. Ask your doctor for mild medicines or remedies to help ease your toddler’s pain

Some Useful Tips For Your Toddler

Want to support your toddler in achieving their toddler milestones? Try these tips-

• You can invest in a high-chair and let your toddler join you and the family during meal times. Eating together encourages them to try new foods and eat by themselves
• Appreciate their behavior with specifics instead of just saying “good job” “good boy” or “good girl”. Say “That was nice of you to share your toy” “Thank you for helping me clean up”
• Avoid bribing your toddler for eating. They will not develop a healthy relationship with food if you offer treats or sweets for eating their vegetables
• If you are planning to celebrate your toddler’s birthday with a party, you should’ve picked out their clothes, narrowed down the bakers, and finalized the venue and guest list
• If you want to keep it low-key, you can make some simple DIY activities for them to enjoy

At 23 months, most toddlers are very active, speak freely, and don’t understand boundaries. They are bound to explore, cross limits, and even hurt themselves. Rather than restricting them in the name of safety, find ways to let them explore in a safe environment. You can effectively fuel their journey to attain their toddler milestones.

FAQ’s

1. What Should a 23-Month-Old be Doing?

At 23 months, your toddler should be able to follow simple instructions, show actions, imitate words and actions, push and pull along toys when walking, and be able to climb stairs without help. Some toddlers can do a little more and some will need more time to meet these toddler milestones. Just give them some time and support.

2. Is There a Regression at 23 Months?

Your toddler could be sleeping less due to nightmares. If they are attending a new playgroup, the change in routine could be affecting their nap time and sleep schedule. Find a new routine and manage the nap duration to help them sleep better at night.

3. How Many Naps Should a 23-Month-Old Have?

Ideally, a 23-month-old will have just one nap late in the afternoon. This nap can last anywhere between 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours. In very few cases, if the toddler is waking up very early along with the rest of the household, they might take a small nap in the morning and one in the afternoon.

4. Why is my 23-Month-Old Waking up at Night?

Your toddler could be having night terrors or nightmares. If they are sleeping alone, try leaving a night light on or give them a safety blanket. Be quick to respond to their cries, check the room in front of them, and reassure them there is nothing to be afraid of.

5. What Foods Help Toddlers Sleep?

A warm glass of milk can promote good sleep. Among fruits, you can give your toddler a banana, some cherries, grapes, or even a slice of pineapple. Ensure you don’t give the fruits right before bedtime, as the sugar in the fruits can disturb their sleep. You can also give them a few walnuts a few minutes before bedtime. Ensure after consuming all this, your toddler brushes their teeth before going to bed.

6. What Should my 23-Month-Old be Saying?

Your 23-month-old should be saying several words and even forming simple sentences. They will make mistakes with the pronunciation and usage of words but will try to answer questions and converse. If they are finding it hard to use the right words, some will combine words with actions to express what they want.

References

1. A Little Play Goes a Long Way: The Importance of Playing with Your Child – [https://extension.usu.edu/relationships/faq/the-importance-of-playing-with-your-child]
2. The Independence of Young Children in the Care of Working Mothers – [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350593628_The_Independence_of_Young_Children_in_the_Care_of_Working_Mothers]