Month thirty-one

This month your toddler’s communication skills expand as she is able to convey complex ideas, sometimes using two at a time, for example she may say, “no sleep, wanna play”.

She can also make up funny words and laugh at them on her own (her sense of humor has no inhibitions) she can pretend to be a bus and honk her way around the room and she can project emotions on to her toys, telling you her doll is scared, or scolding her doll for ripping the book.

Fibs

If she blames her book for drawing on the couch with crayons she has also begun to tell a few fibs. The best thing to do is to explain to her that it is bad to lie and that no matter what she has done it is always better to tell the truth. Tell her that mommy and daddy will be very proud of her, not upset if she tells the truth and much more angry if she lies. The story of Pinocchio could come in handy! See children who lie for more information.

Frustration

Toddlers at this age can become very frustrated. Even though their language skills are developing all the time, they still become immensely frustrated by not being able to get their point across. The fear of being incomprehensible can easily lead to a tantrum, but can also lead to your child being reluctant to try new things for fear of her self-esteem being damaged. See our tips on helping your child to overcome frustration if you notice that your child seems to get overly frustrated and upset during activities.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.