Growth28-month-old childand everything parents should know about this stage
The strengths of a 28-month-old toddler can rapidly develop, and it can sometimes be challenging to keep up with your child; as discussed further in this section ofSelMagzAt this age, you will notice that your toddler begins to use imagination more.
This is the age when they start to envision various things around them, becoming creative. They also begin to explore different items and can be somewhat irritable; if your little one appears tired or troubled, don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal.
This age also marks the time when they begin noticing the “objects” in their room or may be afraid of “monsters”; this is normal, and it’s important to ensure they feel safe and assured that there’s nothing to fear.
Developmental milestones and abilities of a 28-month-old child
Growth and milestones at 28 months: Is your toddler on the right track?
Physical growth of a 28-month-old:
When discussing growth and milestones at 28 months, physical development is crucial to consider. At this stage, kids love to move around, so be ready to chase your little bubble around the house. They also enjoy exploring their environment, opening doors, unlocking things, and climbing everything.
Runninghas started; they may be able to jump with both feet – and stand on one foot. Your toddler is expected to discover creative ways around them. At this age, they are growing in both big and small ways; they will begin to go up and down slides on their own and can recognize small objects like a pencil or crayon.
Growth of a 28-month-old child and how to interact with them
Tips:
Encourage your child to engage in physical activity. Let them explore, jump, and run around the house. Take them to the playground and allow them to play with other kids.
Napping is still very important at this age, even if your child thinks otherwise. It supports their growth and development.
28-month-old children and how to appropriately interact with them
Cognitive development and growth of a 28-month-old
One of the milestones at 28 months that will catch your attention is their beginning to use words to describe the world around them. This is a good time to teach them how to describe what they see. Their symbolic thinking skills also begin at this stage, allowing them to connect drawings with real objects; they can distinguish between a drawing of a dog and a real pet dog.
At this stage, the child begins to pretend and may use their favorite character from TV to “play the role”; yes, it’s time to start planning for Halloween.
Tips:
Play is essential for your child’s growth. They might not “organize” play, so it’s a good idea to let them find their toys and build things for themselves. They engage their imagination in play, dressing up as superheroes or princesses.
Cognitive skills of 28-month-old children
Social and emotional growth of a 28-month-old:
In terms of their social and emotional development, your toddler will start to develop better communication skills at this age. They can sometimes be shy and may even pout if you suddenly need to leave them.
If this happens, a good way to cope is to explain to your child where you are going and why you have to leave them. Always reassure them that you will come back, and make it a point to acknowledge their good behavior.
You will also notice that your little one will try to play with other kids; however, at this young age, they can still be a little selfish, having a tendency to play alone. Despite this, they remain curious about the world around them and begin to establish social connections. Always encourage this kind of behavior.
28-month-old child and how to reinforce their emotions
Tips:
- Take your child out on special days for them to socialize with other children.
- You might even consider enrolling your child in a nursery to ensure regular interaction with other kids.
- Teach them how to play with others, take turns, and share toys.
- Always keep an eye on them, as some children at this age may develop the habit of hitting other kids to get what they want.
- It’s always a good idea to communicate with your child regularly, especially at this age.
- During this developmental period, they begin to establish relationships with those around them, which helps build a strong foundation for communication with your child.
Important tips regarding a 28-month-old child’s social growth
Speech and language development during the growth of a 28-month-old:
In terms of speech and language, your toddler begins using different words to describe their surroundings. Their vocabulary is expanding quickly, but don’t expect them to always be perfectly clear.
It’s a good idea to teach them colors, shapes, and textures so that they can understand and learn how to use these words. Your toddler will also start using gestures to express their requests; for example, if your child moves towards the door, they might indicate they want to go out for awalkor if they want a snack, they might head to the kitchen.
One of the most important strengths of a 28-month-old is when they start speaking about their experiences. This is the age when toddlers constantly talk and tell stories. Encourage them to share these stories and teach them how to express themselves through words.
Speech and expression in 28-month-old children
Tips:
- Teach your child new words so that they can use new adjectives to describe new things. This way, they can easily identify and recognize things.
- Read stories to them to help strengthen their speaking ability.
- Encourage them to speak to use the new words they are learning.
Teaching new vocabulary to a 28-month-old
Health and nutrition during the growth of a 28-month-old:
At this stage, toddlers can become a bit picky with food, and some may lose interest in finishing their meals. Therefore, it’s important for parents to be patient and calm during mealtime. Kids don’t like being forced to eat constantly, so remain patient and encourage them positively.
At 28 months, your child’s height should be about 90.4 cm and their weight should be around 12.9 kg for boys. For girls, the child’s height should be around 89.1 cm and their weight should be 12.3 kg. Your growing child needs at least 1/2 cup of cooked rice, 1/3 cup of vegetables or meat, and 1/3 cup of fruit at each meal to help with growth.
They can still be fed milk, but at this age, they should consume firmer foods. However, children’s preferences and appetites may vary, so keep this in mind when preparing meals.
When it comes to vaccinations, your child should have received thechickenpoxMMR,fluhepatitis A, andhepatitisB vaccines. If your child has missed any of these vaccines, contact their doctor immediately.
One of the most common illnesses your child can have is fever andcoughandcold; in most cases, you shouldn’t worry as this is a common illness among children.
Nutrition in 28-month-old children and their health
Tips:
- The best approach is to “bribe” your child with snacks to finish their meals, whether it’s “good” or “bad” food.
- They prefer to eat their reward snacks instead of their proper meals.
- Another important thing to remember is to gradually reduce breastfeeding.
- Sometimes milk may diminish your child’s appetite for proper meals, making it difficult for them to finish their food.
- 1 1/2 cups of milk (or 1 cup ofyogurtor 1 1/2 ounces of cheese) should be enough, and remember that you can get the required protein from meats and vegetables instead of dairy.
- Providing iron-rich foods is also important asanemiais common during these years.
- Give them meat, fish, and dark green vegetables to boost iron in their system, aiding in the development of new blood cells.
