More than Words
At this stage, your babe is especially adept at word discovery, even if seemingly by accident: think of a word that sounds like what it means (like bump) and a 14-month-old is likely to be attuned to its meaning. Novel words help to both shape a toddler’s vocabulary and deepen their association with objects and understanding of others’ intentions.
In one notable study, researchers turned a light off with their forehead rather than their hand, and observed if toddlers imitated the behavior. Researchers found that when they used a novel word (I’m going to “blick”) to describe the action, toddlers were more likely to imitate than when researchers simply called attention to it. Discovery is the name of the game for 14-month-olds, and using novel words can be productive in ways that go beyond building vocabulary.
More than Words
At this stage, your babe is especially adept at word discovery, even if seemingly by accident: think of a word that sounds like what it means (like bump) and a 14-month-old is likely to be attuned to its meaning. Novel words help to both shape a toddler’s vocabulary and deepen their association with objects and understanding of others’ intentions.
In one notable study, researchers turned a light off with their forehead rather than their hand, and observed if toddlers imitated the behavior. Researchers found that when they used a novel word (I’m going to “blick”) to describe the action, toddlers were more likely to imitate than when researchers simply called attention to it. Discovery is the name of the game for 14-month-olds, and using novel words can be productive in ways that go beyond building vocabulary.
Parallel Play:
As previously mentioned, toddlers playing side-by-side, but not influencing one another’s behavior, is known as ‘parallel play.’ At 14 months, parallel play is a wonderful opportunity to help your toddler label emotions, develop social skills, and build compassion.
Building Blocks:
Stacking blocks is a great way for your toddler to build spatial awareness, test cause and effect, and explore some fine hand and finger motor skills. The block may not be the most flashy toy in your 14-month-old’s collection, but it’s dynamic and open-ended, giving your toddler the space to construct and imagine. From the block’s weight and feel, to the ways they can tumble or grow tall, every part of the block is a discovery at this stage. Toddlers develop their hand-eye coordination by testing new ways of combining, stacking, and lining up blocks.
You may notice that your baby kicks down the towers they build. They are currently learning the concept of “creating” and will soon stop kicking down their creations. Until then, they’ll continue to find it amusing every time you are forced to rebuild.
In later block building stages, tell your child a story: Whether it’s a castle or an emerging city, giving your child a context for building structures is both fun and beneficial.
Summary
You might notice that your baby is far more interested in objects than playing with other babies. This is totally normal. As there is so much going on. Grabbing and picking up objects is still part of their ongoing development. Your baby is still mastering their motor skills and pincer grasp - making this the perfect time for your little one to self feed with a spoon!
Spoon feeding oneself is an important developmental milestone, and one reason experts say parents shouldn’t rely too heavily on pouches. Your toddler is learning non stop at this stage, which is why the Yumi Milestone Plan focuses on foods rich in brain boosting vitamins and minerals.
