Further Reading

By now your toddler will have been building on and extending the basic skills they learned when they were younger. They may have now extended their skills in standing by reaching and stretching. They will also have been exploring moving using one leg at a time in activities such as climbing and running.  

Your toddler will have been experimenting with many gross motor movements and they are most likely able to manage climbing the stairs all by themselves. You may notice that they still need some help to get back downstairs. Climbing is an activity that can be very appealing for young children and you may find them trying to climb all over furniture, along rails, onto windowsills and out of the bath. 

Your toddler has been working hard to become more proficient with their walking and their movements are much more rhythmical and coordinated now that they have achieved more control over their large motor muscles. You may have noticed that your toddler is experimenting with changing direction and might be increasing their speed when walking.  

It's possible that your baby has begun to move around, they may have been crawling for some time and are quite possibly walking independently.  They will have acquired the skills to be able to sit without support and furthermore, when your baby has been playing with toys you may have seen your child crouching or kneeling. When they play with floor toys, they sometimes sit on their legs to make it easier to reach the items. 

Your baby may have been experimenting with pushing themselves up using their arms whilst playing on their tummy. Their arms, core and neck and becoming stronger, giving them more control over their body and movements. 

Your baby has been pushing themselves up onto their hands and knees. This has taken lots of concentration and practice.  

By now, your baby will be engaged in tummy time, and they will be used to lying in this position. Some babies do not take to lying on their stomachs at first, but after implementing tummy time little and often into their usual routine, it should become just a normal aspect of their day.  

Your baby might be enjoying longer periods of tummy time, and if they are starting to explore when they do it, you may notice that they are moving more on their tummy too. They will start to push themselves up on their arms and lift their chest up in the process.  

Your baby may now take part in tummy time. It may have taken some time for them to get used to playing in this position, and they might well still be getting used to it. When in this position, they will be making movements like reaching for objects, and they may even be lifting their heads more to tune into their surroundings.  

Your baby is now making more deliberate motions with their body. You might see them reach out and grab for objects or raise their arms to be lifted as you come close by, wanting to be picked up by you. Your baby might be using their hands and feet in ways you have not noticed before now, for instance, when lying on their back, they may push their feet on floor. They might even be able to push up their pelvis when pushing their feet down.