{"id":102008,"date":"2019-05-03T04:11:59","date_gmt":"2019-05-03T08:11:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.oviahealth.com\/guide\/102008\/16-months-old\/"},"modified":"2022-01-07T10:21:44","modified_gmt":"2022-01-07T15:21:44","slug":"16-months-old","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.oviahealth.com\/guide\/102008\/16-months-old\/","title":{"rendered":"16 months old"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At 16 months, Baby<\/span> may still be a step or two away from toddling, but they is<\/span> most likely almost there. If they is<\/span> walking already, keep an eye out for the next step –  Baby<\/span> isn\u2019t just going to master that one skill and then rest. Once toddlers can walk, it\u2019s often not long until they\u2019re running, climbing stairs, or even climbing furniture. A quick scan to make sure your home is toddler-proofed for someone who might be ready to start climbing can go a long way.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Baby<\/span> has only just started learning to walk, there\u2019s a good chance that their<\/span> walk still looks a little funny – children who are still learning to walk don\u2019t have great balance yet. To make up for the balance, they may walk with their legs spread wide, and may stand by pushing their butts up into the air, then pushing up off the ground on their hands. It may not be the most graceful maneuver, but it\u2019s definitely a great place to start. Make sure to grab a picture or two, though – they will<\/span> figure out how to stand up with a bit more dignity before you know it.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how they\u2019s<\/span> moving around these days, it\u2019s important for Baby<\/span> to have the chance to explore, and to direct their<\/span> own play during this time, instead of doing all or most of their<\/span> play lead by a parent, or in structured groups or activities. Spending some time in self-directed free play doesn\u2019t mean Baby<\/span> doesn\u2019t need or want you around, though – if anything, knowing you\u2019re there watching out for them<\/span> gives Baby<\/span> more confidence to explore.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s true of a lot of parts of Baby<\/span>\u2019s day – even when you don\u2019t feel like you\u2019re playing an active part in teaching them<\/span>, they\u2019s<\/span> learning from you. As they grows<\/span>, they is<\/span> starting to learn as much from what you don\u2019t do for  them<\/span>, and the spaces you leave for them<\/span> to try things for themselves<\/span>, as they does<\/span> from the things you do for them<\/span>. For example, they has<\/span> learned all about what spoons are for by watching you for months, but these days, they is<\/span> learning more by using them themselves<\/span> – putting what they<\/span> learned by watching you into practice!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milestones<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n