Cognitive Skill Developments Between 18 and 24 Months

A Journey into Toddlerhood

As parents, observing our children grow and develop is an exciting journey. The period between 18 and 24 months, in particular, is a fascinating time. This is when your little ones begin to make sense of the world in more complex ways.

As their brains forge new connections, toddlers start to understand object permanence, problem-solving, and even the concept of ownership.

They begin to identify shapes and colors and anticipate daily routines. This is a milestone-packed stage of their cognitive development. But remember, each child is unique and develops at their own pace.

Understanding the Invisible: The Magic of Object Permanence

During this period, toddlers grasp that things continue to exist even when they’re out of sight. This critical cognitive development milestone, known as object permanence, underpins a child’s ability to think logically and engage in problem-solving. They start to remember where objects belong and even imitate the behaviors of others, a sign that they are learning by observing and mimicking the world around them.

The Power of Imagination: Welcome to Pretend Play

Pretend play comes into the picture at this stage, highlighting toddlers’ imaginative and symbolic thinking. Watch as your growing toddler chats on a toy phone or feeds their teddy bear.

These acts of pretend play are signs of their blossoming cognitive abilities. They also begin to grasp the concept of “mine” and “yours,” as well as show that they are now starting to recognizing shapes and colors.

Patterns and Routines: Little Predictors

One more critical milestone is the understanding of daily routines. As your child starts to anticipate what’s next in their daily life, it shows they are picking up patterns, another significant aspect of cognitive development.

Beyond Babble: Communication Milestones

Alongside cognitive skills, your toddler’s communication abilities take off between 18 and 24 months. They start to find hidden things, complete rhymes, and name items in books. Their vocabulary expands at an impressive pace, with them learning 1 to 7 new words each week! By the time they hit two years, most toddlers can string together sentences with two or more words.

Abstract Thought and Imagination: A New World Opens Up

By two years old, a transformation takes place. Your child begins to form abstract ideas and imagine scenarios. They no longer need to see the cookie jar to know it’s there. They can think creatively, classifying objects by color, shape, or size. This shift helps them become more flexible thinkers and problem solvers.

The Cognitive Development Roller Coaster

Keep in mind, your child’s cognitive development will not always be linear. It may feel like a roller coaster ride with ups and downs, twists and turns. A nurturing environment with a variety of stimulating activities, coupled with your support and encouragement, will significantly foster their cognitive development.

With these milestones in mind, and as unique as your toddler is, remember to take joy in every moment of their development journey. And remember, you’re not alone on this journey. Our team is here to support you and answer any questions you might have. If you’re seeking advice or services for your toddler’s development, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Early Intervention Therapies

If you have been worried that your child is falling behind with early childhood milestones, including cognitive development, and your gut is telling your child may need more support, Early Intervention is a program that can help you get answers.

If you have concerns, ask your pediatrician about Early Intervention therapies from TEIS Early Intervention.

At TEIS Early Intervention, our therapists listen to your concerns, assess your child’s individual needs, develop a customized treatment plan, and educate you along the way on simple routine-based solutions to maximize your child’s development in their natural environment.

Early Intervention evaluations and therapy services are available under the Federal Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities. Before services can be provided, an independent evaluation of your child must be completed. To assure impartiality, one agency offers evaluation services while another provides therapeutic services.

To schedule an evaluation call us at 1-800-692-7288 or email to help@connectpa.net