Caring for toddlers means keeping a close eye on their growth and development. Those regular health and development reviews, discussed in Episode and Article 3 of this journey, play a big role in making sure your child is thriving. These appointments are all about assessing how your toddler is growing physically, mentally, and emotionally. There’s a lot you can do to help monitor them in each area yourself, and we’ll explore some ideas here.

Physical growth

Let's start with the physical. A trip to your paediatrician or healthcare provider is a good way to keep tabs on your toddler's height, weight, and head circumference. They'll plot these measurements on growth charts, helping you see if your child is growing as they should be. If anything seems odd or your child misses a milestone, have a chat with your doctor.

Gross and fine motor skills

Now, when it comes to motor skills, both the big movements (known as gross motor skills) and the finer ones (fine motor skills) are essential for your toddler. Keep an eye on them as they hit milestones like crawling, walking, and using utensils. If your toddler seems to be having a tough time with these skills, talking to a healthcare professional is a smart move. They can offer advice or connect you with a specialist if needed.

Hearing and vision

Hearing and vision are two things you'll want to keep an eye (and ear) on too. Look out for any odd reactions or delays in their hearing and vision milestones. Frequent ear infections or eye strain can be signs that something's up. If you're worried, getting your child evaluated by healthcare professionals, like paediatricians, ophthalmologists, or audiologists, is the way to go.

Language and communication

These skills are a big deal during toddlerhood. Watch as your child reaches those speech and language milestones, from babbling to forming sentences. Keep an eye out for how well they communicate their needs and interact with others. If you're concerned about language development, it's worth talking to a healthcare professional or considering a speech and language therapist.

Social, emotional, and behavioural development

Now, the social and emotional side of things! These skills are super important for your toddler's relationships, handling their feelings, and getting along with others. Check out how they share, show empathy, and express their emotions. Playtime and engaging activities can help boost these skills, but if you have any concerns, reach out to a professional for advice.

Cognitive development

This is all about thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving and should be on your radar too. Keep an eye out for how curious your child is, their attention span, memory, and problem-solving abilities. Encourage their curiosity and provide age-appropriate toys and activities to help them learn. If there seem to be big delays or struggles in cognitive development, don't hesitate to talk to a healthcare professional for more help.

Sensory development

And last but not least, sensory and perceptual development This covers how your toddler processes information through their senses like sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Pay attention to how they react to different sensations. Some kids might be sensitive to things like loud noises or bright lights. If you're concerned about sensory issues, chat with a healthcare professional or an occupational therapist.

Reach out

Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Trust your instincts as a parent, but also lean on the professionals when needed. Share your concerns with nursery or preschool staff and other caregivers—they're in this with you and can provide additional insight and support.

How can I monitor my toddler's growth and development?

Unii’s Toddler Health & Development Journey shares how you can accurately monitor your little one’s growth, language skills, and other progress.