Introduction
Welcome to the whirlwind world of parenting an 18-month-old! At this age, your toddler is likely walking confidently, babbling more, and showing a growing interest in their surroundings. This milestone marks your little one’s significant physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.
While you’ll delight in your child’s emerging skills and personality, you may face hurdles like tantrums and sleep regressions. Don’t worry—these are standard parts of healthy development.
In this article, we’ll guide you through creating nurturing routines, understanding the importance of play, choosing appropriate enrichment activities, and managing sleep challenges. We’ll also introduce Heartfield Kindergarten’s holistic toddler programme.
An 18-Month-Old’s Schedule
As a parent, establishing a routine for your 18-month-old is crucial for their development and well-being. Your consistent schedule provides a sense of security and predictability, fostering self-discipline, time management skills, and healthy habits in the long run.
Here’s what a sample daily schedule for an 18-month-old at home might look like:
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, diaper change
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast
- 8:30 AM: Free play
- 9:30 AM: Outdoor time or structured activity
- 10:30 AM: Snack
- 11:00 AM: Quiet time (reading, puzzles)
- 12:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00 PM: Nap time
- 3:00 PM: Snack and free play
- 4:00 PM: Semi-Structured activity or outing or outdoor time
- 5:30 PM: Dinner
- 6:30 PM: Bath time
- 7:00 PM: Bedtime routine
- 7:30 PM: Sleep
Balancing structured activities and free play is key. While structured activities help develop specific skills, free play is crucial for creativity and self-directed learning. Aim for a mix of both throughout the day.
The Importance of Play
Talking about play, did you know that it’s a vital part of your 18-month-old’s development? Your toddler engages in different types of play, each with its benefits.
They develop creativity and language skills When they pretend to feed a doll. Running and climbing? That’s physical play, essential for motor skills and burning energy. Even simple games like peek-a-boo teach important social skills.
Unstructured or free play is just as important as structured activities. When your little one is left to their own devices (in a safe environment), they’re developing independence, creativity, and problem-solving skills. In fact, free play allows your child to use his/her executive functioning skills and self-confidence.
Play also allows children to experiment by trying things out through trial and error. By doing so, they’ll fail and succeed—for example, stacking blocks and discovering what works and what doesn’t.
Create a safe play area with various toys and materials to make the most of unstructured time. Be present, but let your child lead the play. And don’t worry about a little mess—it often means they’re fully engaged! (Besides, cleaning up the mess also teaches responsibility, reinforces independence, and reinforces academic skills like sequencing and sorting.)
Enrichment Classes for 18-Month-Olds
Before we dive in, a word of caution: at this age, your goal isn’t to create a mini-genius or start academic drilling. Instead, look for fun, engaging experiences that complement your child’s natural development.
Enrichment classes can be a great way to expose your little one to novel encounters and social situations. Remember, the goal is fun and engagement, not academic pressure. They’re especially beneficial for socialising, exploring music, and releasing that endless toddler energy.
Here are a few age-appropriate options:
- Music and movement: These classes can help develop rhythm, coordination, and language skills. Plus, they’re just plain fun!
- Sensory play: These classes, focused on exploring different textures, sounds, and sights, are a delightful journey of discovery for your child. They stimulate the senses and encourage curiosity, making learning a joyous experience.
- Early language development: Story time or simple language classes can support your child’s budding communication skills.
Keep it light and enjoyable. If your child seems stressed or overwhelmed by a class, taking a break or trying something different is okay.
Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds
At this age, the right toys aren’t just fun – they’re valuable tools for learning and development. But don’t worry, you don’t need to break the bank or fill your home with fancy gadgets!
Puzzles and shape sorters are fantastic for this age group. They help your little one practice problem-solving, logical-thinking and fine motor skills. Watching your toddler figure out how to fit that star-shaped block into the right hole is like seeing a tiny scientist at work/
Push-and-pull toys are another great option. Remember that little dog on a string that your grandparents probably had? There’s a reason these classics stick around—they support physical development and coordination as your child navigates around the house.
And let’s not forget about good old building blocks. They might seem simple, but blocks are powerhouses of learning that foster creativity, spatial awareness, and even early maths skills. Besides, there’s nothing quite like the proud look on a toddler’s face when they’ve built a tower taller than they are!
Dramatic play toys help children to imitate adults while processing the world around them. To create a dramatic play corner, use items like cooking sets, baby dolls, soft toy pets, toy tool sets, and other household objects. Dress-up items also provide great starting points for building a dramatic corner.
Develop your child’s sensory awareness with sensory toys. Create a bin or tray filled with various materials—raw pasta, beans, a small amount of water, or even ice cubes provide rich sensory experiences. As children feel, pour, stir, and measure these materials, they learn about the world through touch. This boosts their motor skills while stimulating their brains. Play dough, whether homemade or store-bought, offer endless opportunities for creative exploration.
Musical instruments like a full drum set may be too noisy for your toddler. However, they’ll benefit from child-friendly musical instruments like shakers, soft drums, and safe wind instruments. These help to develop their creativity and self-expression. Do also play a variety of music—particularly classical pieces or instrumental music from around the world—to stimulate their auditory senses.
When choosing toys, look for ones that can grow with your child and encourage open-ended play. The best toy is often one that can be used in multiple ways as your child’s skills develop.
Suitable Crafts for 18-Month-Olds
Now, we know what you’re thinking—crafts with a toddler sound messy. And you’re right! But embrace the mess (within reason, of course). It’s all part of the learning experience.
Artistic expression and mark-making is a very important aspect of your child’s development. Everytime they make a mark or create something, it builds their sense of self and confidence. It also gives our children a way to express their thoughts and ideas, and is considered to be the beginning of writing. Thus, injecting lots of artistic expression in your children’s lives will benefit their physical, cognitive and emotional development.
Finger painting is a classic for this age group. It’s sensory play and art rolled into one! Squish some child-safe paint onto a large piece of paper and let your little one go wild. They’ll love the feeling of the paint on their fingers and the colourful marks they make. Playdough is another winner. It’s great for strengthening those little hand muscles and unleashing creativity. You can make simple shapes together, pretend to bake cookies, or enjoy squishing and rolling. Don’t worry if your toddler is more interested in poking the dough than creating a masterpiece—it’s all about the process at this age.
Sleep Training for an 18-Month-Old Toddler
Remember when you could lay your baby down, and they’d drift off? Those days might feel like a distant memory now.
First, let’s talk about the dreaded 18-month sleep regression. It’s a real thing, and it can be challenging. Your toddler might suddenly start fighting bedtime, waking up more at night, or refusing naps!
It’s important to understand that this phase will pass. It’s a sign of their growing independence and language skills, coupled with emotions like separation anxiety or teething. It can be frustrating, but remember—it’s temporary.
So, what can you do? Consistency is key.
Establish a sleep routine. Stick to a regular bedtime routine—maybe a bath, a story, and a cuddle. This signals to your child that it’s time to wind down. Avoid using any screens or electronics that tend to stimulate rather than calm your child.
Cuddling with a bedtime storybook and a warm intimate chat time is just the right way to settle your child to bed. Some parents have a routine of saying nighttime prayers.
Spending these uninterrupted quiet moments with your toddler boosts their sense of security and is more likely to lead to a calmer child. If your toddler calls for you at night, keep interactions brief and boring (no fun midnight parties!).
Creating a sleep-friendly environment can also make a big difference. Keep the room dark and cool, use white noise if it helps, and make sure your child’s favourite comfort items are within reach.
Remember, every child is different. What works for one might not work for another. Be patient with your little one and with yourself. If you’re really struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out to your paediatrician for advice. You’re not alone in this.
Heartfield Kindergarten’s Toddler-Friendly Programmes
Speaking of nurturing environments, you may be heartened to know that Heartfield Kindergarten’s toddler programmes are designed with your energetic 18-month-old in mind.
At Heartfield, we believe in a “wholehearted” approach to early education. What does that mean? Let us give you a brief sample.
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Our theme-based curriculum turns everyday topics into exciting journeys of exploration and discovery. One week, your toddler might explore “Things That Go,” touching toy cars, making vrooming noises, and creating their traffic light craft. The following week, they could dive into “Under the Sea,” feeling squishy sea sponges and textured seashells or singing about colourful fish.
We also use a multisensory approach because toddlers learn best when they can see, hear, touch, and sometimes even taste what they’re learning about. Our activities engage all the senses, helping information stick to those growing brains.
At Heartfield, we understand that toddlers have big energy but short attention spans. That’s why we balance high-energy activities with quieter ones throughout the day. Your child might be bouncing in our mini gym one moment and cosying up for storytime the next.
Located at 31 Balmoral Road, our sprawling campus is perfect for engaging and enriching learning experiences. To learn more, contact us at tel: +65 6835 2354, email: info@HeartfieldKindergarten.com, or visit our contact page.
