Your toddler

Once your baby is toddling confidently, that’s when the fun really starts. With little eager legs and hands free to grab everything within reach, you’ll have to be fast on your toes too! But of course, while some babies walk as early as nine months, others may be 16 months before they take their first steps – it’s all quite normal.

Now is the time for first words too. Your baby may be able to say up to 20 recognisable words (well, recognisable to you anyway) and understand many more. As your baby learns to speak, it becomes much easier for him to tell you exactly what he wants – or not. So don’t be surprised if your little one starts to communicate his wishes very loudly!

You may also notice that now your toddler’s appetite drops quite dramatically. Again, this is quite normal, as babies only gain five or six pounds in their second year. But it’s not all about a slowing down in weight gain. Many little ones discover that using a spoon and showing their likes and dislikes are great ways to assert their independence. And doesn’t that squished carrot make a great pattern on the floor…?!

Your life

Oh the mess! Toys thrown everywhere, food on the walls, bills in the bin and yoghurt up the nose. As for the artistic scribbles on every carefully decorated surface, well it certainly brightens up the minimalist look. So what’s it all about?

Manual dexterity, that’s what. If you assumed your toddler just loved to mess up your house, then you’d be partly right. But this phase of chaos is also a great age of experimentation. Yes, it really is good for their development.

Babies learn, through trial and error, cause and effect, about the objects around them. Unfortunately it’s likely to be your objects that are damaged in error. So keep your lipstick in your handbag - and your handbag way up high!

Things to think about or try

This is a great time to get your toddler involved in a playgroup. Some toddlers are very social, while others are shy, but the earlier they can form positive relationships, the happier they are likely to be.

Playgroups are also great places for your toddler to learn co-ordination skills through activities such as building bricks, jigsaws, musical instruments, painting and play-dough. Plus it keeps some of the mess out of your house, of course!