My Baby This Week -- Your 14 month old

Toys for 12 to 18 months

Your toddler is really taking off these days -- and as you chase your little runaway down the street yet again, you may miss the days before she learned to use her legs so well. "Active" is the best way to describe her now, and she likes any toy or game that allows her to throw her whole self into it -- balls, swings and little climbing frames to name a few.

Her hands are becoming more coordinated, too, and she can now use shape sorters more efficiently, build even bigger block towers, and scribble a drawing. Her play involves lots of experimentation, such as "What happens if I drop this ball?" or "What happens if pull this lever?" She's very interested in the consequences of her actions, and because her memory isn't well developed she won't tire of repetition. Toddlers also like to try out what they see adults doing, so look for toys that imitate daily life.

Push and pull toys: Heavily weighted push toys can give your beginner something to lean on as she motors around your home. Pull toys are great for more advanced walkers who can look behind them as they move forward: ones that flap, bob up and down, squeak or in any other way catch attention are favourites. Find out more about walking and your toddler.

Sorting and nesting toys: Toddlers love to sort, stack, unsort, unstack, and basically reorganise their lives. Sorting and nesting toys are great fun for those who are trying out their early problem-solving skills.

Climbing frame: A small climbing frame can give your toddler a safe place to climb, hide, slide, and practice all her emerging motor skills -- over and over again. But they can also be pricey and are quickly outgrown.

Balls: Any ball that's easy to grasp will be a hit with this group -- underinflated beach balls, tennis balls, cloth balls. Stay away from foam balls that could end up as a mouthful. This is the age at which you can introduce your child to "catch". Start slowly -- she'll begin to get the back-and-forth rhythm with some practice.

Washable crayons and paper: Let the scribbling begin! Hand your toddler no more than a couple of crayons at a time -- you don't want to overwhelm her -- and tape the paper to the floor so she can make her mark without dragging the paper along with her.

Ride-on vehicles: This mode of locomotion may be even more popular than walking. Many small ride-on toys have handles for an adult to push when the child gets tired. Avoid the electronic versions -- they're expensive and take away from the fun of getting around under your own power.

Tool bench or toy kitchen: Fix-it kids or aspiring chefs will get hours of play out of plastic or wooden models scaled to their size. Toys like these give a child a chance to emulate the things he sees adults doing, and they'll continue to hold his interest for several months as his play gets more sophisticated.

Picture books: Your toddler will enjoy more advanced picture books showing familiar objects and activities. She may also start to take pride in her own library and the chance to pick out a favourite for you to read.

Let's play! 14-month-old

1] Stacking towers
Building towers with your little one will not only help his motor control but also start to lay down the foundations of maths.

Skills developed: motor control, sorting, cause and effect, language.
What you’ll need: building blocks of any shape; design or colour.

Start with a pile of building blocks and gradually build your toddler a tower. He may want to help or he might prefer to wait until you're finished then take great delight in knocking the whole thing down. Talk your toddler through the process either by counting the bricks as you build them up or naming their colours. Tell him if you are going to build a big tower or a small tower. Watching the tower you have just built come tumbling down will encourage his sense of cause and effect.

2] Mirror me

Toddlers are great mimics, especially when it comes to pulling faces. And while you are having fun, she will be developing her coordination and dexterity.

Skills developed: imagination, motor skills, social skills.
What you'll need: just yourselves.

Sit down facing your toddler. Start with simple actions like poking out your tongue, waving, reaching up high or covering your face. Encourage your toddler to copy you. Now it's her turn. She will be fascinated to see you copy her every move.

Your 14-month-old's development

Major milestones

By now, your toddler may have mastered waving "bye-bye" and is probably able to roll a ball back and forth with an adult. About half the toddlers this age are drinking from a cup, and some are beginning to be interested in helping around the house. Your toddler may well be able to stand alone, can probably stoop down and then stand back up again, and might even be working on walking backwards. He may say several words and is learning more every day. He's also starting to have clear ideas about what he wants and will be persistent in trying to achieve them.

Asserts wants and desires

The things you say no to will probably have the most allure for your toddler, so making your house safe for exploration will make both your lives easier. If you cover plugs, lock low cupboards, and keep fragile items out of reach, he'll be safer and you can relax a little. You might designate one low cabinet just for toddler play. Fill it with items you don't mind him touching -- like plastic containers, toys or empty boxes -- and occasionally change the contents for variety. Your toddler learns about the world through play.

Eats with relish and exuberance

Don't expect adult manners from your toddler. Eating -- like everything else your toddler is doing -- is a learning experience, and at this age learning tends to be messy. He's working on improving his skill with a spoon -- which is central to the eating task -- but he's also checking out the texture of egg and what grapes do when thrown, which can be hard on your floor and furniture. Spread a splash mat under his chair, provide him with an assortment of healthy foods, and let him choose what he wants to eat.

Forms strong attachment to comfort items

Your toddler relies on the sense of security he gets from his favourite stuffed lion, dearest blanket, or both. These items, called "transitional objects," can be a source of comfort, especially when you're not around. Paediatricians often recommend that parents encourage these attachments. Although your child is struggling to master new skills every day with varying degrees of success, the cuddly blanket is one thing he can consistently return to for comfort.