Month 17
Choose your topic
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Children of this age are real little detectives! They observe everything very closely, imitate and thus learn constantly. Even things that we might prefer them not to! Your child may well try to repeat a word that slipped out of your mouth when the coffee cup fell out of your hand! But that’s also par for the course and the children learn that mum and dad are only human.
During this time, your child will probably also discover their sex. Just as they play with fingers, feet and hair, the vagina or penis also become interesting to them. Your child recognises that mum and dad are not exactly the same and that they look more like one of them. It is important that they can name their genitals. Whether it’s a silly name like “wee-wee” or “winkie” or “penis” and “vagina” is less important than the fact that it has a name. This teaches them early on that their privates are an important and by no means shameful part of their body and they are better able to understand and explain a boundary violation.
Your child may like to play extensively with their genitals. The children discover that these touches can elicit pleasant feelings. This is completely normal and should by no means be forbidden or labelled as bad. Instead, you can explain to your child that these touches are something very personal that they can it do at home in the bathtub or in bed, for example, where no one is watching.
Walking barefoot across the damp meadow, burying your fingers in the mud or letting sand trickle onto your head – it all feels incredibly exciting and thrilling. And for many kids, the muddier and slimier, the better. Of course, this isn’t always convenient, so it can be worthwhile to consciously plan for such experiences. If it is warm, the child doesn’t need to wear much. But even cooler temperatures shouldn’t stop you from letting your child out in rain gear. After all, jumping in mud-puddles is just so much fun!
But sensory skills can also be practised indoors: with modelling clay (store-bought or homemade), salt dough or while baking, children experience how different textures feel and can be shaped.
Perhaps your child has already switched from two naps to one nap or will probably do so in the next few months. For many children of this age, a single sleep break is enough. This is important for the child’s development: they can recover and what has been learnt is processed and anchored in the brain. It is recommended that the nap should not last longer than one and a half hours and that there should be at least four hours between waking up and going to bed. If your child is not at all tired in the evening, this may be a sign that the nap is too long.
Since your child was born, you have probably focussed a lot on them. That’s fine and completely normal, but it’s still important that you don’t forget about yourself and your relationship. Whether you want to do something for yourself or spend quality time with your partner again: make the time for it. Perhaps you have someone in your family or circle of friends who can take over childcare for an evening. Or you can keep an eye out for a suitable babysitter. Because with recharged batteries, everyday life is often easier.