What to Expect as your Grandchild Grows

By Emily Koeppel, B.A. and Lindsay Hornell, BSW, B.A.,
Graduate Research Assistants in Human Development Family Studies, Colorado State University

Between the ages of one and three, it might seem as if your grandchild is changing everyday. Sometimes it is difficult to understand if your grandchild is developing normally, or not. The following is a timeline to help you understand typical child development stages.

12 to 15 Months: This is the beginning of your grandchild learning to walk and talk. Grandchildren may still need your help with walking and they will not be able to form words quite yet. In order to help grandchildren learn how to talk, it is important to read to grandchildren at least once a day. It is also important to involve them in self-help tasks like washing their own hands. While they are doing each task make sure to talk them through each step to help them learn more words.

15 to 18 Months: At this point your grandchild will begin to run and climb. Make sure there is someone always watching your grandchild and that your house is baby proofed. It is easy for grandchildren to get hurt quickly once they are running and climbing! Your grandchild will also be able to communicate what he or she wants through actions and single words. Grandchildren may start pointing to let you know what they want. It is also normal for tantrums to start at this stage. Your grandchild is starting to understand his or her feelings and it is important for you to stay calm whenever a tantrum is happening.

18 to 24 Months: Your grandchild will start to put two words together to make sentences. When you notice this happening, repeat what he or she said in a full sentence to help your grandchild learn more words. Around this age your grandchild will start to have an active imagination. It is important to play pretend with grandchildren to help their imagination grow.

24 to 36 Months: During this time it is important that your grandchild starts playing with other children around his or her age. This will help grandchildren learn how to share and learn social skills. Your grandchild will also want to start to become more independent. Help your grandchild learn to do things on his or her own by giving him or her choices.

It is important to point out that not all grandchildren develop at the same time. Some children develop earlier and some develop later. For more in depth information on developmental milestones please visit http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/grandparents/. If you are worried about your grandchild's development, please contact his or her pediatrician. Getting help early on with developmental delays can significantly decrease the effect it has on your grandchild's life.

Source: http://www.zerotothree.org/