Understands action words e.g., if you say, "Can you jump?" they will jump or try to jump
It is at that stage that your toddler will most likely understand more spoken words, be able to comprehend simple stories and follow simple commands. They will discover that learning new language can be enjoyable, and that it can introduce them to a fun, interactive world. Now that your toddler can not only understand language, but use it too, they will be increasingly interested in communicating in a variety of situations.[1]
Uses a word they know for all individual people or objects in a category, e.g. calls all men 'daddy'
Your toddler has been learning lots of early words and they most likely will have linked to family members, routines or objects that are familiar to them. They may be uttering two words phrases such as ‘uh oh’ or ‘bye bye’ and they may have started using a wider variety of words such as adjectives, nouns and some verbs.
Says first name when asked, "What's your name?"
Your toddler will have known and understood what their own name is for some time now. When they heard their name, they may have turned to look at you or they may have pointed at themselves when someone has asked where they are in a photo or when playing a game. Some toddlers talk about themselves using pronouns, such as I or me when they are communicating who they are and talking about what they have been doing.
Identifies objects by their function, for example if you say, "What do we sit on?" answers, "Chair."
Your child has been listening to language in many different formats, such as conversations, stories, tv programs and songs. They have come a long way since their development of language began; from listening to language, attaching meaning to language, saying first words to speaking using words and sentences. [7] They are starting to overcome their overextension of words (using one word to group a wide variety of objects) and are able to group objects in categories that make more sense.
Recognises a familiar object when they can only see part of it
Your child has been combining information from their senses to learn about the world since they were a baby. Their vision is clear, and they have developed their cognitive skills and now have a clear understanding of many familiar objects. They know that objects maintain their shape and size even when they cannot see them and can think about familiar objects.
Looks around and can pick out a familiar person in a group of people
Your child’s vision will have had similar clarity to that of an adult for some time now, and they will have been noticing things that are further away for a while now. They are still developing the skills to process and think about what they see, and you might notice that they are able to find a familiar person amongst a group of people.
Recognises familiar logos and will remember what they represent
Your child has used one object to represent another in their play and has been able to match pictures and objects for some time. They are now noticing familiar logos and recognise what these represent. For example, they might see the logo of the supermarket you go to on an advert and make a comment about the name of the shop or going shopping.
Moves fingers individually during games or rhymes
Your toddler will have been using their fingers to carry out tasks for some time. It is likely that they will have been using isolated fingers to try to pop bubbles, or they may use all their fingers to grab objects.
Uses large linking bricks such as, Duplo bricks and can push these together and take them apart
The dexterity of your toddler’s hands is much improved and they may have been experimenting with taking lids off containers and moving objects such as sunglasses, a hat or scarf to their head or face. They have made much use of their increased skill of using two hands to perform tasks and this will have been seen when they have carried out tasks such as jigsaws and stirring ingredients in a bowl. They may have also been experimenting with building towers with their blocks.
Manipulates clay or playdough with hands to make a ball or snake
Your toddler’s hands are now becoming very useful tools. They have most likely been exploring all kinds of manipulation activities by using their whole hand and their fingers. You may have seen your toddler trying to pour using different containers, tear paper and use tools when they are playing with dough.
