Big Changes & Favorite Things at 24-Month-Old
There must be something special about a second birthday. It seems that ever since our twins’ birthday, things keep clicking. New words, skills, and interests emerge daily. As part of my monthly twin series, I thought I would update you on a few things in our Montessori home with twins. I’ll share some developmental changes I’ve observed, how we are supporting various sensitive periods our boys are going through as well as some of their favorite things as of late.
Developmental Changes I Have Observed
The development of a child is simply amazing. It is a privilege as a parent to watch it unfold so naturally. Here are my observations.
Words
Each day this month, there are more words spoken by our twins! It is still surprising to me when they say something so clearly I can understand them. Language acquisition is such an incredible part of human development. For the last 24 months, our twins have been absorbing everything around them with their absorbent mind. So much of their learning has been done through osmosis, as they effortlessly acquire their native language. Simply incredible.
Sign-Language
We continue to use and repeat simple signs to our boys to help them communicate with us. Signs such as “more,” “all done,” “please,” “thank you,” and “I’m sorry” have been helpful ways to redirect whining for things or in moments of frustration when I know they don’t have the verbal words yet. We can show them the sign and have them communicate their needs that way.
Follow-Through
I have had a few moments now that really surprise me in terms of our twins’ ability to listen to a direction and follow through on it. For example, I was changing one of our boys’ diapers and I asked the other twin to go and get the diaper wipes. He walked away to his bedroom and came back a little bit later with the diaper wipes in hand.
The tide is turning more and more as their capability to contribute to the family grows even more. They understand so much of what we are saying and doing. Now, it is my work as the adult in the home to prepare our home in such a way that allows for this independence and accessibility. Providing them with every opportunity to contribute to our family.
Control of Movements
During the holiday season, we had many opportunities in the kitchen, and I was pleasantly surprised with the control of movement my boys had in various tasks. One of my sons was scooping out powdered sugar into a measuring cup to help make some icing for a coffee cake. He slowly and carefully scooped and transferred the sugar into the measuring cup. I had to be so intentional not to step in and do anything to break this focus and concentration.
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Supporting Sensitive Periods in the Home at 24-Months-Old
A sensitive period is a time in a child’s life when they have a special sensitivity towards developing and refining a particular skill. These sensitive periods are helpful and necessary for children to acquire and develop the skills necessary for their development. When we are aware of these sensitive periods, we can work to support them through our prepared environment, AKA our homes.
Order
Their absorbent minds are incredible. It seems like I show them where something belongs one time and now they know consistently where it belongs. Even without labels or pictures, they know which drawer is for their mittens and hats. We can support a child’s need for order by giving everything a place and having it in its place. Once our child knows these systems and routines, they will be able to help in keeping and maintaining this order, with our help of course.
Language
For 2 years we have been speaking and communicating with our children, even though, for most of that time they didn’t have any words to say back to us. But during that time, they were acquiring language. At this two-year mark, we have been reading books, talking about everything we see, and communicating with them as if they could have a full conversation with us.
We continue to introduce and use simple sign language signs to help them communicate. Things like “more”, “please”, “thank you”, “help”, “water” and “all done”. These simple signs are a great way to redirect them whining for things that they want because they can’t communicate. Sign language is a tool we can give our toddlers to help them say what they want and need even before they have the words to do so.
Small Objects
There is even a sensitive period for small objects! I see this sensitivity in full swing still. My boys will pick up small pieces of crumbs on the floor and give them to me or hold onto the smallest object for hours. These days, they don’t put things into their mouths usually, but I still need to keep a close eye on them when they find and hold onto those smaller pieces.
A List of Their Favorite Things
- 2-Piece jigsaw puzzles
- Putting on socks
- Playing with Play Silks (These are so fun and versatile!)
- Helping in the kitchen on their learning tower
- Pouring water
- Cutting up a banana
- Color matching activity
- Stacking and unstacking Magnatiles
- Listening and dancing to music
