At 20 months, toddlers exhibit remarkable progress. Their language skills blossom, with expanding vocabularies and emerging sentences. Motor skills advance, refining coordination and balance for purposeful movements. Socially, toddlers engage in simple interactions, laying the foundation for social awareness. These milestones signify crucial developments in language, motor abilities, and social understanding. Parents can celebrate their toddlers’ growth as they enter this exciting phase of exploration and learning.

Table of Contents

What are the Toddler’s Development and Milestones in the 20th Month

Language Skills

  • Vocabulary continues to expand; may use around 100 words or more.
  • Begins combining words into short sentences.
  • Demonstrates understanding of simple questions and commands.

Motor Skills

  • Refines fine motor skills, showing improved dexterity.
  • Continues to develop gross motor skills with more coordination in movements.

Social and Emotional Development

  • Expresses a wider range of emotions and may start to use words to express feelings.
  • Shows interest in playing with other children, though parallel play is common.
  • Demonstrates attachment to familiar caregivers.

Cognitive Skills

  • Recognizes familiar objects and people in pictures.
  • Engages in imaginative play, such as pretending to feed a doll.
  • Begins to understand simple concepts like big and small.

Toilet Training

  • Some toddlers may start showing signs of readiness for potty training.
  • Begins to communicate more about bodily functions.

Sensory Exploration

  • Enjoys sensory activities like playing with playdough or exploring different textures.
  • Responds to simple music and rhythmic activities.

Social Interaction

  • Shows interest in imitating adult behaviors, such as pretending to talk on the phone.
  • Enjoys interactive games and simple turn-taking activities.

Parental Interaction

  • Engages in simple conversations with caregivers.
  • Enjoys reading books together and may start pointing to pictures.

What are the activities needed to Support your 20-month-old toddler’s development

Running and jumping

  • Encourage your toddler to run unaided, jump, and climb to develop their motor skills

Drawing and coloring

  • Provide crayons or other drawing tools to help your toddler develop their fine motor skills and creativity

Naming body parts

  • Help your toddler learn the names of their body parts by pointing and asking them to identify specific parts

Playing with blocks

  • Engage your toddler in building and stacking blocks to improve their fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities

Dressing and undressing

  • Encourage your toddler to participate in simple dressing and undressing tasks, such as putting on or taking off clothes

Following simple instructions

  • Begin to give your toddler simple one-step instructions, such as asking them to pick up a toy or put on their shoes

Reading and singing

  • Read books and sing songs with your toddler to help them develop their language skills and love for reading

What are the Mealtimes and Menus for Your 20-Month-Old

Breakfast

  • Begin the day with a well-rounded breakfast. Provide choices such as whole-grain cereals, yogurt paired with fruit, or scrambled eggs to ensure a blend of carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins.

Lunchtime

  • Prepare a vibrant dish with bite-sized portions, incorporating lean protein like chicken or beans, accompanied by a variety of vegetables and a modest serving of grains.

Afternoon Snack 

  • Choose nutritious snacks such as sliced fruits, cheese cubes, or whole-grain crackers. Incorporating snacks between meals aids in sustaining energy levels.

Dinner 

  • Introduce a variety of textures and flavors at dinnertime, exploring options like pasta with tomato sauce, steamed vegetables, and a lean protein source.

What is the Sleep Schedule of your 20-Month-Old Toddler

Total Sleep

  • 11-14 hours of sleep per 24-hour period

Nap Schedule

  • One longer afternoon nap starting around 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Bedtime

  • 10-12 hours night sleep
  • Aim for a bedtime between 7-8 PM

Day in the Life of a 20-Month-Old Toddler

Eating

  • Toddler needs about 3 meals and 2 snacks a day
  • Offer food every 2 to 3 hours, as toddlers’ tummies are still small

Sleeping

  • 11-14 hours of sleep per 24-hour period
  • If a toddler is stalling during their bedtime routine, offering definitive choices can help them feel in control

Developmental Activities

  • Drawing with crayons to practice motor skills.
  • Playing games like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” to encourage body part recognition.
  • At this age, they can run and may go upstairs by themselves but need some help on the way down

Fun Facts

  • They might exhibit aggressive behavior towards other children, so parents should intervene when necessary
  • They can draw vertical and horizontal lines, indicating the development of eye-hand coordination

Toddler’s Health at 20-Month-Old

Regular Check-Ups

  • Schedule routine visits with your pediatrician for well-child check-ups.
  • Discuss any concerns or observations about your toddler’s health and development.

Vaccinations

  • Keep up-to-date with your toddler’s vaccination schedule.
  • Consult your pediatrician to ensure all recommended vaccines are administered.

Dental Care

  • Introduce regular dental care routines, including brushing your toddler’s teeth.
  • Schedule a dental check-up to monitor oral health.

Immunizations

  • Keep track of your toddler’s immunization schedule.
  • Ensure they receive recommended booster shots for continued protection.

Vision and Hearing

  • Schedule regular vision and hearing screenings as recommended by your pediatrician.
  • Address any concerns about your toddler’s sensory development.

Hand Hygiene

  • Teach and encourage proper handwashing to instill good hygiene practices.
  • Use age-appropriate methods to make it engaging for your toddler.

Development Tips for Your Toddler This Month

Introduce Basic Counting

  • Count simple objects together, like toys or blocks.
  • Use everyday activities to introduce the concept of counting.

Music and Movement

  • Play music and encourage dancing or clapping.
  • Use simple instruments like shakers for a musical experience.

Role-Playing

  • Provide toys for imaginative play, such as dolls or action figures.
  • oin in and assign roles during pretend play scenarios.

Practice Basic Shapes

  • Introduce basic shapes through toys or drawings.
  • Point out and name shapes during everyday activities.

Teach Basic Self-Help Skills:

  • Encourage your toddlers to dress themselves in simple clothing.
  • Teach them to wash their hands and brush their teeth.

Items Needed on the 20th Month of Your Toddler

Toys and Water

  • Engage the toddler in play with plastic toys and water, which can be done using a shallow storage bin, a water table, or the bathtub

Drawing Materials

  • Provide crayons and a blank piece of paper to encourage drawing and creativity

Simple Chores Tools

  • Consider providing items for simple chores, such as mini-brooms for sweeping, to encourage independence and a sense of responsibility

Books

  • Reading together can be a valuable activity for both the child’s development and bonding

Life as a Parent on Toddler’s 20th Month

Exploring the World

  • Curiosity is at its peak, leading to increased exploration.
  • Create a safe environment for your toddler to discover, both indoors and outdoors.

Toddler-Approved Nutrition

  • Mealtime might become an adventure as your toddler asserts preferences.
  • Provide a variety of nutritious foods, and involve them in simple meal-related tasks to make eating an enjoyable experience.

Boundaries and Consistency

  • Set clear and consistent boundaries.
  • Toddlers thrive with routine and a predictable environment, helping them feel secure.

Embracing Messy Play

  • Messy play is part of the learning process.
  • Allow your toddler to engage in activities that involve exploring textures, even if it gets a bit messy.

Emotional Development

  • Emotional expression becomes more evident.
  • Help your toddler understand and manage their emotions by providing comfort and teaching simple coping strategies.

Cherishing Precious Moments

  • Take time to savor the special moments with your toddler.
  • Capture memories through photos and celebrate the unique qualities that make them who they are.

Adaptability as a Parent

  • Flexibility is a valuable trait for parents.
  • Be adaptable to the changing needs and preferences of your growing toddler.

Time for Self-Care

  • Balancing parenthood with self-care is crucial.
  • Allocate time for activities that recharge you, ensuring a healthy well-being for both you and your child.

Seeking Support

  • Parenthood is a journey best shared.
  • Connect with other parents, seek advice when needed, and build a supportive network.

Checklist needed for the 20th Month 

Setting the Stage for Success

  • Creating a conducive environment for productivity.
  • Incorporating positive habits for personal and professional growth.

Navigating Challenges

  • Identifying potential roadblocks and proactively addressing them.
  • Developing resilience to overcome unforeseen obstacles.

Optimizing Time Management

  • Streamlining daily routines for maximum efficiency.
  • Prioritizing tasks to achieve long-term goals.

Financial Fitness

  • Evaluating and adjusting budgetary allocations.
  • Exploring opportunities for additional income streams.

Health and Wellness

  • Prioritizing physical and mental well-being.
  • Establishing sustainable health practices.

Building Meaningful Connections

  • Nurturing relationships both personally and professionally.
  • Cultivating a supportive network for mutual growth.

Last Updated on January 15, 2024