My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Behaviour/development

Is this normal behaviour for a 20 month old?

8 replies

Nononon · 30/07/2014 16:13

More often than not DS is a loving and happy boy. He is bright and intelligent.

He has a fair few words and is starting to put them together (2 or 3 at a time) and it is clear that his comprehension is good.

He is also very loud at times. He shrieks if he gets excited about something and will talk A LOT - like almost never shut up. God knows what he's saying because it's still all babble with the odd actual word in there but he certainly has a lot to say.

He bangs things loudly too and is very active, he flits from one activity to another. Although he will happily sit and attempt a jigsaw for about 5-10mins.

He has started having mega tantrums if he is taken away from something. He kicks and Screams and thrashes. For example, he tried to get on another boys trike the other day on a walk and when we removed him from it (after lots of gentle coaxing, attempted distraction etc) he kicked off in a major way. Same thing when he spots a ride in a shop or supermarket. If he is allowed to sit on it for a bit the removal of Him is hell.

Tantrums also occur when he is put in his car seat or pushchair. Loud screaming and kicking and thrashing.

He has starting hitting this week too. Not painfully and we tell him he should not do it in a firm manner. However he seems to be really pushing the boundaries.

Finally he loves hugging and will try to hig literally every other small child that he sees. Whether they want to or not!

Does all this sound normal for a child of 20 months. The tantrums are really worrying me

OP posts:
Report
Lottapianos · 30/07/2014 16:21

Yes, sounds normal. He's much too young to understand why he has to get off the other child's trike or whatever so it just all feels horribly unfair as far as he's concerned. Distraction is a good way to go. Don't get involved in negotiating though - he's much too young to understand any of that. And do not be tempted to back down after you have said no.

Report
Lottapianos · 30/07/2014 16:27

With the tantrums, stay calm but in control. Let him cry them comfort him when he's done. Tantrums are very scary and overwhelming for young children - by staying calm you're showing him that strong emotions are allowed and ok.

Report
WhispersOfWickedness · 30/07/2014 16:28

Sounds like the definition of a 20mo to me Grin especially the tantrums! He sounds great Smile

Report
rachyconks · 30/07/2014 16:30

My 20mo DD is exactly the same. Put her on a time out this week as the hitting was getting excessive. It seemed to work and she was a lot calmer after.

Report
choochootrain1 · 30/07/2014 16:30

Sounds normal to me... if he was 4 or 5 then some of it would be cause for concern but at 20 months it's pretty much standard Wink

Report
Nononon · 30/07/2014 18:34

Thanks for the lovely replies and reassurance. And hints on how to deal with these tantrums. I never notice other children having them and they've been daily for the past week (we're on hol and out and about a lot so I'm not sure if the excitement and newness of everything is maybe triggering them too).
And DH and I are exhausted because DS has decided that 5am wake ups are normal this week too. The downside of sleeping in the same room I think - normally he's happy to amuse himself in his cot when he wakes up but spotting us lying there desperately trying not to move to attract his attention means he MUST get up and play Confused

OP posts:
Report
SlicedAndDiced · 30/07/2014 18:35

Sounds normal to me Grin

Well dd is 17 months and you have just described her exactly.

Report
slightlyconfused85 · 30/07/2014 21:52

You sound like you're describing my DD who is 20.5 months. Her tantrums are not over being taken away from things but more about whether she can have endless access to snacks (which she can't as she doesn't then eat proper meals). It is exhausting, she is exhausting but I think it's pretty normal!

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.