Toddler Development and Milestones: Your 29-Month-Old

At 29 months old, toddlers can really start to become moody and it's not uncommon for them to whine or get angry to get what they want. When it comes to 29 month old toddler behavior, remember to have lots of patience, and understand things from your toddler's perspective.

However, it isn't all tantrums and crying fits. Toddlers of this age have a wider vocabulary, and they'll try to express themselves as often as they could. This means they'll start to talk a lot more, and they'll also start using pronouns such as "I" or "me" to refer to themselves.

Cognitive Development

In terms of cognitive development, 29-month-old toddlers should be able to understand a wide variety of words, and they can usually express themselves through words, albeit they won't be able to always speak in complete sentences.

You'll also start to see signs of self-sufficiency at this stage, and your little one might become insistent on dressing themselves, drinking from a cup by themselves, etc.

They won't always do it perfectly, and it can be a bit messy, but be sure to encourage their independence, as it helps boost their self-esteem. It also makes them feel more in control of themselves and their environment.

Toddlers also start to explore their world at this stage. If they see something that interests them, they'll quickly run towards it. They'll also start to check out various things around the house, so it's a good idea to make sure that anything dangerous is out of reach.

Social and Emotional Development

At this stage in your child's development, you may notice an increase in tantrums. That's because toddlers tend to experience a lot of frustrations. Usually, this is because it's hard for them to understand their feelings, and also, they can't express themselves completely.

As far as 29 month old toddler behavior is concerned, little ones this age can easily be calmed down, so long as you yourself keep calm and composed. The best way to calm your child down is to talk to them and be firm in explaining what behavior you expect.

Don't shout or get angry at them whenever they have a tantrum, as it'll only make things worse. Speak calmly, but firmly, and make sure your toddler understands what you mean.

Toddlers also start to become more friendly at this stage, and they'll make friends with other kids they see. However, be wary of your toddler's safety, as toddlers can be too friendly at times. Always keep an eye on your kids at this stage, as some have a habit of walking up to strangers to try and make friends!

Speech and Language

At 29 months, toddlers already know a lot of words and are usually able to express themselves, albeit with some difficulty.

Try to include your 29-month-old in your conversations so that they feel involved. Plus it's a good way for them to develop their communication skills.

This is also the age when they start to charm other people and even try to start conversations by themselves. Make it a point to talk during mealtime and to ask your toddler about their day. This helps them practice their words and is also a good way for you to teach them new things.

Health and Nutrition

At this age, toddlers may start getting fussy with food, especially fruits and veggies. If you used to cut up fruits and veggies into tiny pieces so that they won't taste them, you'll find that it might not work anymore.

This can be stressful for a lot of parents, since they start to worry if their child is indeed getting enough nutrition.

In these situations, it's better to be patient and just give it time. It can be very frustrating if your child constantly rejects the food you're giving, but it's better than trying to force them to eat what's in front of them.

That's because forcing them to finish their food can create a negative association with the food they eat. They might grow up connecting the negative experience to vegetables or fruits, which can lead to them not wanting to eat those types of foods even more.

Try to avoid giving too much snacks to your child, and focus on making sure they eat proper meals during mealtime.

Tips for Parents

First off, they don't call it the "terrible twos" for nothing! At 29 months, your child's behavior can seem very different from what it was a few months back.

The key here is remaining calm, composed, and understanding why your child is behaving in a specific way.

Try to avoid shouting or getting angry at them whenever they have tantrums or if they refuse to eat the food you're giving them. Do your best to keep calm, and be patient. A good thing to remember is that "persistence is key."

Encourage your child to make friends with other kids around their age. You can also try and enroll them in playschools so that they have an opportunity to socialize with other children. Having good social skills at a young age can be very helpful when they're older, especially when your child starts going to school.

It's also a good idea to encourage independence in your child. Don't be afraid to let them explore and try out new things. However, make sure that you're always keeping an eye on them and that their safety is your number one concern.

Your toddler's previous month: 27 months

Your toddler's next month: 30 months

Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore