- Turns book pages without help — especially “chubby” book pages made of thick cardboard
- Tries scribbling with chalk, crayons, paint or washable markers
- Shows increasing skill in picking up smaller objects with fingers
- Uses both hands to pick up, hold or carry things
Pre-Reading Milestones for 18 Months to 23 Months
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- Names several familiar objects and pictures
- Uses short phrases when talking, such as “Mommy come,” “See Daddy,” “Want juice”
- Follows simple directions — “Bring me your shoes; we are going outside.”
- Brings books to you to read
- Imitates your words and actions — tries to copy you by pretending to cook, shave, take care of a doll or stuffed animal, or use play tools
- Build daily routines around books and reading, such as during naptime or bedtime.
- Read stories about your child’s current experiences — this helps your child make connections and understand significant events in her life (potty training, visiting grandparents, being sick).
- Ask your child to point to and name pictures in books.
- Let your child turn the pages in books. Choose books for tiny hands and fingers, such as books made of thick cardboard, cloth or plastic baby-safe material.
- Elaborate on your child’s language — if your child says “truck,” you say, “Yes, it’s a big yellow dump truck.”
- Provide sidewalk chalk, markers or non-toxic paint for your child to use to scribble.
- Stops using words — suddenly seems socially withdrawn (“in her own world”) and does not use words that she previously used
- Has trouble understanding simple spoken language — needs you to show her what you are saying in order to understand
- Does not say several words and short phrases
- Does not walk independently — should be able to walk without holding on to furniture or another person
- Shows odd, repeated movements with body or objects — examples include spinning her body or objects frequently (multiple times per day) or focusing obsessively on one part of a toy, such as the wheels on a car, rather than playing with the toy like other children the same age