Activities You Can Do With Your 15-Month-Old Baby

At 15 months, your child is eager to engage in more complex activities and routines. Here’s a guide to activities that support their development and foster independence.

Everyday Skills

• Daily Routines: Encourage your child to participate in daily routines like choosing and wearing shoes, getting a jacket, or placing clothes in the laundry basket. Involving them in these tasks helps build their sense of responsibility and self-reliance.

• Handling Objects: Let them practice holding and drinking from a sippy cup to enhance their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Bedtime and Meal Routines

• Bedtime Routine: Establish a consistent bedtime routine, which may include activities like brushing teeth and reading a book. This helps signal to your child that it’s time to wind down and prepares them for restful sleep.

• Meal Times: Create structured meal and snack times, ideally with three meals and two to three snacks daily. This routine supports their growth and helps them understand the concept of time and routine.

Learning Through Interaction

• Object Identification: Show your child different objects and discuss their uses or appropriate contexts. For instance, explain that pajamas are for nighttime or cutlery is used during meals. This reinforces their understanding of daily life and functional use of items.

• Musical Learning: Incorporate music into daily activities by singing nursery rhymes or creating custom songs related to activities like brushing teeth or mealtime. Music enhances cognitive development and makes routines more enjoyable.

Managing Independence and Emotions

• Handling Tantrums: As your child grows more independent, they may exhibit minor tantrums when they don’t get their way. This is a normal part of development as they learn to manage their emotions and assert their desires.

• Memory and Recognition: Develop a memory or photo album for your child. Regularly review the album with them, asking them to identify or point out people and objects. This activity boosts their memory and recognition skills, as well as strengthens their connection to family members and familiar objects.

Conclusion

These activities are designed to support and enhance your child’s development at 15 months. For further guidance and information, consult your pediatrician and refer to the CDC’s guidelines here.