Toddler This Week: 20 Months, Week 2

Your toddler won't be able to carry on a conversation just yet, but don't be surprised if he starts mimicking your telephone style with his toy phone. You may also catch him imitating the way you act behind the wheel of the car, preparing meals, or cleaning the house. This copycat behavior can be charming or potentially embarrassing. Now's a good time to pay extra attention to your own language and behavior.

At 20 months, your child may be able to run. She may also go up stairs by herself but need some help on the way down. She's probably still working on throwing a ball overhand, kicking a ball forward, and jumping – skills she's likely to master by age 2. She's active in less desirable ways as well. Small children frequently resort to hitting, pushing, biting, tugging, and other frowned-on actions to feel more important but also to experiment: What happens when I hit Emma? Will the same thing happen when I hit Jacob? Don't overreact to your toddler's behavior. If you retaliate by hitting, it teaches that hitting is okay. Calmly make clear that such actions are never acceptable – no matter how intense your child's feelings.

-BabyCenter.com

"Lluvia, Mimi!" ("Rain, Mimi!")

"Lluvia, Doh!" ("Rain, Doh!") 

"Doh" is what she calls Dolly.