It seems like I've had five or six conversations lately that go like this: Oh, she's almost 18 months? Is she __________ (insert skill here - saying uh-oh, doing puzzles, sorting, etc.)? The last time we went to the pedi, the nurse was asking questions about what DD is doing, and I felt so foolish for answering "no" so much. We play, do crafts, sing songs, read lots of books, go on "trips," etc. I thought I was doing a pretty great job of giving her what she needs. I am NOT one of those parents that needs her daughter to do things early, and feel like we shouldn't be pressured to do things just because other kids can, but am I doing her an injustice? Do you have some kind of resource to use to know what they should be learning or skills they should be developing? I felt like when she was in daycare, the teachers were a great resource and were always keeping us in the loop about developmental milestones. Now I feel like I'm blowing in the breeze.
Re: SAHMs - resources for helping LO develop?
For me, at that age, I don't worry so much about "teaching" them but moreso in engaging them in opportunities to learn. Does that make sense? I like to give them the chance to explore, learn and discover the world around them.
Between 18-24 months I like to have different activities designed to engage them. I have play baskets for different sensory activities; playing with water and different containers in the sink, playdough, measuring and filling containers with colored rice or beans, etc...
I find blogs and pinterest to be constant sources of ideas. I just try to keep it fresh and I cylce out my different activities on a weekly basis. Here are some of my favorite (sorry, no clickies)
https://www.1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/
(She is religious and does religious teachings along with her other stuff but she has some great ideas)
https://www.playcreateexplore.com/p/activites-for-ages-1-3.html
www.playbasedlearning.com/au
https://progressiveearlychildhoodeducation.blogspot.com/
https://www.theimaginationtree.com/
And, fyi, the 18th month well check has a autism screening checklist that the pediatricians are required to fill out to screen for autism so that was probably why they were asking all the "is your kid doing ____" questions.