A 13-month-old child is naturally self-centred. In fact, although you are probably the most important other person in his life, he truly does believe that the whole world revolves around himself.
That is why your child has difficulty sharing, and why you will notice that even when your toddler plays next to other children, there is no real interaction.
Your child is also likely to be quite demanding, and has probably started to learn that they are able to influence the world around them. At this age, it’s not manipulation though – it’s simply their way of learning to assert their independence.
Because your child is still so centred on you, the best thing you can do to boost your child’s emotional and social development is to become his playmate.
Toddlers this age love games of peek-a-boo, hiding behind anything from a chair to their hands, while you pretend that you can’t find them. They are also learning to throw, although catching may be some time off, and a game with a ball is a big favourite. Pointing to and naming objects is another favourite game for toddlers at this age. So try pointing and naming games with body parts, pictures in books and magazines or other objects.
Make sure that your child interacts with other children as well, but understand that it will be a while before your toddler really begins to play with other kids.
That is why your child has difficulty sharing, and why you will notice that even when your toddler plays next to other children, there is no real interaction.
Your child is also likely to be quite demanding, and has probably started to learn that they are able to influence the world around them. At this age, it’s not manipulation though – it’s simply their way of learning to assert their independence.
Because your child is still so centred on you, the best thing you can do to boost your child’s emotional and social development is to become his playmate.
Toddlers this age love games of peek-a-boo, hiding behind anything from a chair to their hands, while you pretend that you can’t find them. They are also learning to throw, although catching may be some time off, and a game with a ball is a big favourite. Pointing to and naming objects is another favourite game for toddlers at this age. So try pointing and naming games with body parts, pictures in books and magazines or other objects.
Make sure that your child interacts with other children as well, but understand that it will be a while before your toddler really begins to play with other kids.