Children as young as 16 months are still evolving into the functional play phase, using toys as they are intended more and more each day. You may notice that she is “driving” cars and dump trucks across the floor more and more. You may see him sweeping toys with his tiny broom. He has observed the world and learned enough to mimic what he has learned.
Some children at 16 months start to demonstrate some aspects of symbolic thinking. You will notice this through symbolic play. Your toddler will begin to understand that an object or toy is symbolic for something else. At this age, he is making motor noises as he drives the car or dump truck across the floor. He now has an awareness that the doll represents a real baby and he holds it like a baby and even “feeds” the doll a bottle.
When children are able to make this link between a toy or item and what it represents, they are continuing to use areas of their cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for higher-level thinking. This symbolic play lays the foundation for problem solving, making associations, and language.
Toddlers at this age are typically engaging in solitary play where they are playing by themselves. They will occasionally go into parallel play where they play next to another child and even observe that child from time to time. It is an important time to create situations in which your toddler can begin to play with other children so the skills of parallel play can start to emerge.
Look for toddler play groups, story time at the library, the church nursery, preschools, or invite a friend over for a play date. You can look for informal play opportunities at the park or playground as well. Take note of if your toddler observes other children and shows an interest in them. Toddler’s interaction with other children is an important component of their own communication skills.
References:
Zero to Three. (2018). The Growing Brain.
The American Academy of Pediatrics