Welcoming a little one into your family is an exciting journey filled with sweet moments and adorable milestones. As parents or caregivers, you are always on the lookout for signs that your child is growing and evolving appropriately. Their first steps, their first words, their first time successfully using the potty - all of these milestones are occasions for joy and celebration. But beyond the excitement, these developments mark significant moments in the journey of your child's growth.
One important phase in this journey is when your child turns 14 months old. This period is full of advancements and changes, both big and small. During this stage, they start to exhibit new skills and behaviors that are incredible to witness, but can also raise several questions in parents' minds - is my child developing at the right pace? What should I expect during this period? How can I support my child's development?
In this informative guide, we will explore what to expect when it comes to 14 month old development milestones, breaking down different areas of growth—from motor skills to speech development, from feeding habits to sleep patterns—and offering practical tips on how to nurture your little one's development during this fascinating phase.
Understanding 14 Months Developmental Milestones
At every stage of a child's life—infant or toddler—there are specific milestones that help track their progress in various areas such as physical growth, cognitive development, communication skills, social and emotional progress, etc. When your child reaches around 14 months of age, there's an array of exciting developmental milestones that you should be aware of.
- Motor Skills Development
Motor skill development soars during this period. Most 14 month old children can now stand by themselves and take a few steps without help, with about half of them being fairly proficient walkers. Some ambitious tots might even start running or climbing steps at this age! You may also notice your little one trying to climb, so ensuring they have a safe play environment becomes crucial.
At this stage, your child is likely to enjoy playing with balls, learning to throw them, and delighting in the joy of movement. Their fine motor skills also progress as they start holding objects, letting them go, and picking them up again. They might begin to make marks on paper if given a crayon, pointing at things that catch their interest or flipping through the pages of board books on their own.
- Speech and Language Development
When it comes to 14 month old milestones, speech development also makes significant strides. Your toddler may start saying a few words beyond mama and dada during this stage — sometimes up to six words or more. They will also be attempting to mimic the sounds and speech patterns you use around them. This is an excellent time for parents to engage children in conversations, read aloud to them, and encourage the use of words.
14 Month Old Food
Your 14 month old is probably eating more new foods—but may be rejecting some favorites they previously loved. Don't let that keep you from offering them though; they’re really still figuring out which foods they love and which ones they don’t care for.
How much should my 14 month old be eating?
A 14 month old baby should be eating about three meals and two snacks per day. Give them a daily variety of foods in all food groups—vegetables, fruits, grains, protein, and dairy.
Doctors say most toddlers need approximately 1,000 calories per day—give or take—or about 40 calories for each inch of their height. But don't worry about keeping track! Offer your one-year-old portions about one-fourth the size of an adult portion. Then, let them choose how much they eat based on their appetite.
Keep giving your 14 month old whole milk (unless the doctor has recommended otherwise) or breast milk. A 14 month old should get 700 mg of calcium per day. So if your kid doesn't get calcium from any other source, they’ll need to drink about three 8-ounce cups of milk each day.
As far as food choices go, variety is key. Just like you, your toddler should be eating a variety of foods from all the different food groups. At this age, you don't need to restrict fats—because a 14 month old needs them for brain development—but you should avoid giving them overly salted foods and sugary snacks. Stick with natural, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
Need 14 month old baby food ideas? Most 14 month olds can pick up food and feed themselves. But they're still at risk for choking, so continue to mash foods or keep pieces very small and easy to chew. Foods like peanuts, whole raw carrots, and hard candies are still too hard for a 14 month old. Grapes and cherry tomatoes should be cut into very small pieces to prevent choking
14 Month Old Sleep
At 14 months, the name of the sleep game is routine. You'll want to make sure your child has a pretty set schedule so they know when they’re expected to settle in for the night. Of course, there are always going to be days when things don't go exactly as planned.
One- to 2-year-olds should get 11 to 14 hours of sleep per day total, between nighttime sleep and one or two daytime naps.
Vivid dreams, teething pains, and separation anxiety are just a few reasons a 14 month old can start to wake at night—even if they were previously a good sleeper. If you're desperate to get back to the usual sleep routine, it's important to know the root of the problem, so you can help your child get through this sleep disruption. Stick with the usual bedtime routine and set limits that will help your child get back on track.
You've probably become (very groggily) aware that you can't force kids to sleep. If your 14 month old refuses to sleep at bedtime, the only thing you can do is provide the tools they need to start snoozing — and then let them decide to actually do it. This means giving plenty of opportunities throughout the day for active play, setting a bedtime routine that's predictable and calming, and shutting down screens at least an hour before bedtime.
Activities for 14 Month Olds
At 14 months old, your little one is experiencing newfound mobility and independence. They're eager to explore the world around them while sitting, standing, and taking those first steps. As they demonstrate their growing abilities, you may be wondering how to keep them engaged and entertained. Here are some enriching activities, games, and toys perfect for your curious 14 month old:
- Interactive Clapping: Encourage your toddler to participate in games like patty-cake, where they can mimic the clapping motions of adults. This not only strengthens their motor skills but also fosters social interaction and imitation.
- Push Along Fun: Provide your little explorer with push toys such as miniature lawnmowers, shopping carts, and strollers. These toys not only support their physical development as they practice walking but also allow them to engage in imaginative play as they mimic everyday activities.
- Tower Building: Introduce your child to the concept of building by starting with simple tower structures using just two blocks. As they become more adept, encourage them to add additional blocks to their creations, fostering their spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
- Shape Discovery: Engage your 14 month old in shape-sorting activities, where they can match shapes to the corresponding holes in a shape-sorting toy. This helps develop their cognitive abilities as they learn to recognize and categorize different shapes.
- Imaginative Play: Stimulate your child's creativity with pretend-play toys like play kitchens, toy phones, dolls, and toy cars and trucks. Encourage them to use their imagination to role-play different scenarios, fostering language development and social skills.
14 Month Old Health and Safety
Ensuring the health and safety of your 14 month old is paramount as they continue to explore and discover their surroundings with newfound mobility and curiosity. Here are some important considerations:
- Childproofing: By 14 months, your little one is likely crawling, cruising, or even taking their first steps. Take steps to childproof your home by securing furniture, covering electrical outlets, and installing safety gates to prevent falls and accidents.
- Supervision: While your child's increased mobility is exciting, it also requires vigilant supervision. Always keep a close eye on your child, especially in potentially hazardous environments such as near stairs, pools, or hot surfaces.
- Choking Hazards: At this age, babies are curious and may put small objects or toys in their mouths. Keep small items, coins, and other choking hazards out of reach, and be cautious with foods like grapes, nuts, and hard candies.
- Safe Sleep Practices: Ensure your child's sleep environment is safe by placing them on their back to sleep in a crib with a firm mattress and no loose bedding or soft toys. Avoid using pillows, crib bumpers, or blankets, and maintain a comfortable room temperature for sleep.
- Healthy Nutrition: Offer a balanced diet consisting of a variety of foods to support your child's growth and development. Be mindful of choking hazards and supervise meal times to prevent choking accidents.
- Regular Check-ups: Schedule regular well-child visits with your pediatrician to monitor your child's growth, development, and overall health. Stay up-to-date with vaccinations and discuss any concerns or questions you may have about your child's health and development.
- Hygiene Practices: Teach your child good hygiene habits, such as washing hands before meals and after using the bathroom. Keep their toys clean and sanitized regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
- Teething: Some children may experience discomfort or irritability due to teething around this age. Provide teething toys or chilled washcloths to help soothe sore gums, and consult with your pediatrician if your child seems particularly uncomfortable.
Parenthood is inherently filled with questions and uncertainties, but it also brings unparalleled joy with every new milestone your child achieves. While it's important to remember that each child develops at their own pace, having a general understanding of 14 month old milestones can help you better support your little one during this exciting stage of growth.
At Raising Superstars, we understand the unique challenges and joys that come with different stages of childhood development. Our Prodigy Framework offers comprehensive guidelines and activities designed to promote holistic child development. Our programs require just five minutes daily and are completely screen-free, making them an ideal companion for modern parents on a quest to raise healthy, happy children.
Remember that while milestones serve as useful guidelines in tracking your child's growth and development, they are not definitive markers of future abilities. Celebrate each achievement your little one makes on their journey of growth, offer them ample love and encouragement, and seek expert guidance whenever in doubt. Parenthood is indeed a marathon rather than a sprint - enjoy each step along the way!
