A toddler at 19 months undergoes significant development. Language skills advance, with a growing vocabulary and attempts at basic sentences. Motor skills improve for both gross and fine movements, enhancing activities like walking and stacking blocks. Socially, toddlers engage in parallel play, while cognitive abilities progress, leading to increased curiosity and simple questioning. It’s important to remember that individual development rates vary, and these milestones offer a general guide for parents and caregivers.

What are the Toddler’s Development and Milestones in the 19th Month

Language Skills

  • Expanding vocabulary; may use around 50 words.
  • Beginning to combine words into simple phrases.
  • Shows understanding of basic instructions.

Motor Skills

  • Refining gross motor skills like running, climbing, and jumping.
  • Fine motor skills improving, enabling activities like stacking blocks.

Toilet Training

  • Some toddlers show signs of readiness for potty training.
  • Beginning to communicate bodily functions.

Sensory Exploration:

  • Shows interest in sensory activities like touching, smelling, and tasting.

Social Interaction

  • Enjoys playing alongside other children but may not engage in cooperative play yet.
  • Begins to understand simple social rules.

Parental Interaction

  • Enjoys simple stories and interactive games with caregivers.
  • May show preferences for certain toys or activities.

What are the activities needed to Support your 19-month-old toddler’s development

Physical Development

  • Encourage outdoor and indoor play to support physical activity
  • Provide opportunities for climbing, walking, and running to enhance gross motor skills
  • Engage in activities that promote fine motor skills, such as stacking blocks, using a spoon, and scribbling

Communication and Language Skills

  • Label household items to introduce new vocabulary
  • Engage in simple conversations and follow one-step directions to support language skills
  • Read books and sing songs to encourage language development

Cognitive Skills

  • Play simple games that involve following basic instructions to promote cognitive development
  • Encourage activities that involve problem-solving, such as simple puzzles and shape sorters
  • Provide opportunities for pretend play, such as playing with dolls or stuffed animals

Social and Emotional Development

  • Foster positive interactions and praise good behavior to support social and emotional development
  • Engage in activities that promote self-awareness, such as looking in the mirror and identifying themselves
  • Encourage independence and provide opportunities for your child to help with simple tasks, such as picking up toys or putting clothes in a hamper

What are the Mealtimes and Menus for Your 19-Month-Old

Breakfast 

  • Kickstart the day with a balanced breakfast. Offer options like whole-grain cereals, yogurt with fruit, or scrambled eggs for a mix of carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins.

Lunch

  • Create a colorful plate with bite-sized portions. Include lean protein, such as chicken or beans, paired with vegetables and a small serving of grains.

Afternoon Snack 

  • Opt for healthy snacks like sliced fruits, cheese cubes, or whole-grain crackers. Snacking between meals helps maintain energy levels.

Dinner 

  • Introduce diverse textures and flavors during dinner. Consider options like pasta with tomato sauce, steamed vegetables, and a source of lean protein.

What is the Sleep Schedule of your 19-Month-Old Toddler

Total sleep

  • Aim for 12-14 hours of total sleep in 24 hours
  • 2-3 hours of daytime sleep

Nap schedule

  • Your toddler should be taking one 2-hour nap during the day
  • The nap should ideally occur between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM

Bedtime

  • 10-12 hours of overnight sleep
  • The goal is to have your toddler asleep between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM

Day in the Life of a 19-Month-Old Toddler

Eating

  • Typically eat three main meals and two snacks throughout the day
  • The food is offered every 2-3 hours since their stomachs are still small and they need to eat frequently
  • Toddlers at this age are becoming more confident in identifying their hunger and fullness

Sleeping

  • 12-14 hours of sleep per day
  • Daytime sleep is 2-3 hours
  • Aim for a consistent wake-up time, ideally between 6:30 AM and 7:30

Developmental Activities

  • Creative Development Activities
    • Encourage creativity and imagination through activities like drama, music, dance, art, and craft
    • Provide your toddler with simple musical instruments or items that can be used as instruments, such as ribbons on sticks, a spoon and a box to beat, a toy ukulele, a shaker, or a homemade puppet
  • Everyday Learning Activities
    • Dance and sing with your toddler, combining music and movement.
    • Take every opportunity to dance, sing, and play together to nurture your child’s creativity
  • Play Ideas
    • Help your toddler develop thinking skills and hand-eye coordination through activities like squishy sponges, freeze dancing, and popping popcorn

Fun Facts

  • At 19 months, toddlers are typically running around, learning new words, and starting to imitate actions they see their parents do, such as holding and feeding a baby

Toddler’s Health at 19-Month-Old

Varied Diet Essentials

  • Ensure your toddler receives a well-rounded diet encompassing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources like lean meats and dairy. This supports their growth and development.

Hydration Matters

  • Encourage regular sips of water throughout the day. Proper hydration aids digestion and helps maintain overall health.

Preventing Illness

  • Foster good hygiene habits, including handwashing, to minimize the risk of illness. Teach your toddler to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing.

Dental Care

  • Initiate a dental care routine, by brushing your toddler’s teeth with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and using fluoride toothpaste in a pea-sized amount.

Development Tips for Your Toddler This Month

Interactive Reading Sessions

  • Engage your toddler in interactive reading sessions, pointing out pictures and encouraging them to express themselves. This fosters language development and cognitive skills.

Shape and Color Recognition

  • Introduce simple games that involve identifying shapes and colors. This not only enhances cognitive abilities but also makes learning fun.

Outdoor Exploration

  • Encourage outdoor play to enhance gross motor skills. Activities like walking, running, and playing with age-appropriate toys contribute to physical development.

Encouraging Parallel Play

  • Foster social skills by encouraging parallel play. This is when toddlers play side by side without direct interaction. It helps build social awareness.

Expressive Play

  • Encourage your toddler to express emotions through play. Provide dolls or stuffed animals to act out different scenarios, allowing them to process and understand feelings.

Items Needed on the 19th Month of Your Toddler

Toddler bed

  • If your toddler is almost able to climb out of their crib, it may be time to transition to a toddler bed

Lightweight stroller

  • A lightweight stroller can be helpful for outings and errands

Art Supplies

  • Encourage creativity with washable crayons, non-toxic paints, and large sheets of paper. Artistic expression supports cognitive development.

Toys

  • Some fun toys for a 19-month-old include soccer balls, puppets, and drawing materials

Potty chair

  • If you’re starting to potty train your toddler, a potty chair can be helpful

Comfortable clothing

  • Soft cotton pajamas, cozy socks, hats, and jackets can keep your toddler comfortable

Play table

  • A play table can be a great addition to your toddler’s play area, providing a space for activities like puzzles and building blocks

Baby Toiletries

  • Use gentle baby shampoo, body wash, and toothpaste suitable for toddlers. A soft-bristled toothbrush aids in establishing good oral hygiene.

Life as a Parent on Toddler’s 19th Month

Language Explosion

  • You’ll witness a significant growth in your toddler’s vocabulary, with the ability to understand and express more words.
  • Engaging in conversations with your child becomes more interactive and enjoyable.

Boundless Energy

  • Your toddler’s energy levels are likely at an all-time high, requiring ample opportunities for physical activity and play.
  • Outdoor play, running, and climbing are essential for channeling their boundless energy.

Routine Changes

  • Nap schedules may undergo adjustments, and your toddler might start showing signs of dropping a nap.
  • Mealtime preferences can be unpredictable, with a growing interest in exploring different tastes and textures.

Challenges in Communication

  • While language skills are advancing, frustration may arise due to the gap between what your toddler wants to express and their vocabulary.
  • Encourage patience and use gestures to support communication.

Introduction to Structured Activities:

  • Consider introducing simple structured activities like art and music classes to stimulate creativity.
  • Your toddler may enjoy participating in activities that involve movement and interaction with others.

Checklist needed for the 19th Month 

Health and Nutrition

  • Schedule a well-child visit with the pediatrician for routine check-ups.
  • Ensure a balanced diet with a variety of foods to support growth and development.

Language Stimulation

  • Engage in daily conversations, read books, and expose your toddler to a variety of words to support language development.

Independent Skills

  • Encourage and support your toddler in practicing independent skills like self-feeding and dressing.

Limit Screen Time

  • Monitor and limit screen time, ensuring that any digital content is age-appropriate and used in moderation.

Regular Physical Check-ins

  • Regularly check for any signs of illness or discomfort, and consult with the pediatrician as needed.

Flexibility in Routines

  • Be flexible in adapting routines to meet the evolving needs of your toddler.

Last Updated on January 15, 2024