At 14 months your toddler is still learning about his world through sensory play. By touching, mouthing, tasting, and exploring, he is building those pathways in his brain that connect brain cells (neurons) together. Every sensory experience creates more pathways and when he repeats these experiences and actions, the pathways strengthen and new learning takes place. Do you notice the repetition? Does the same toy get thrown on the floor 100 times? Do the same two toys get banged together over and over and over again? It is because pathways in the brain are strengthening and new learning is occurring! This repetition helps babies to understand the world and how it works.
Through sensorimotor play, toddlers develop the concept of separate selves. They learn that they are separate from their toys and other people and this concept lays the foundation for body awareness. This is a great time to start talking about body parts to reinforce body awareness. Ask you toddler where his nose, eye, and belly are and see if he can point to them. Also make the distinction between your body and his body. Ask where his nose is, then say, “Where is mommy’s nose?”
Children also learn about object permanence or the idea that objects and people still exist even when they are not in sight. Reinforce this concept through repetition by playing peek a boo, hiding toys under blankets and encouraging your toddler to find them, then encourage her to hide it herself and you find it. These games strengthen those pathways through repetition and help to teach these concepts.
At 14 months, toddlers are still engaging in solitary play, where they play independently or only with an adult who initiates play, but they do not yet have the skills to play with another child. They may watch other children and start to develop an interest in them, but they are typically not able to engage in play with other children quite yet.