How much instruction should a 16 month understand? Is my DS lacking in understanding...

[specialistpharmacy]

Hi I'm new and want to ask a question.

My 16 month old son is very lively and fun. He has about 8 words but tries to repeat a lot of what we're saying. He's not walking, but just about there, so lots of his energies go into this and into climbing and exploring and basically getting into lots of mischief!

How much should he understand? If I ask him to throw me his ball should he get this? Should he get put your toys in the basket?

Sometimes I think he understands stuff really well, other times he looks at me defiantly and doesn't do a thing I ask even if I keep it simple.

Is he too young for me to think of this?

I worry about this sort of thing because the books say that between 12-18 months they should underdtand one step instruction. He is my first child and I do not have many people and babies to compare him to.

Thank you for your advice.

You're probably right - he understands much more than you realise but is being defiant! I always joke to others when i ask DS what sound a lion makes and he just looks at me like i'm weird. I say "Ok, i get it DS, you're not a performing monkey are you?" He too is 16 mo, totally understands a lot of what i say but being a toddler his curiosity/ independence overrides everything else. Some days he obediently leaves the ornaments alone when i say 'no, they're to look at not touch', others he'll look at me and take everything off the window sill seemingly to spite me. Your DS sounds perfectly normal to me!

Thanks Matana, that's helpful

Yes, exactly Matana - my DD is exactly the same. She has to be in the mood to obey me, and she knows full-well when she's being naughty and ignoring my instructions. Either that or she'll tell me and DP off back! They definitely understand way more than we think they do!

I'm interested in this, too. My DS is not quite 16 months, but how much of the 'one step instruction' stuff is he supposed to consistently do?

He will pass me stuff when asked and I think he has a good understanding but sometimes I'll ask him to do stuff and he'll blatantly ignore me!

I assume this in line with age, or should he be getting all instruction? he seems young to me but the f**king milestone charts give you something to worry about!

bump

Understanding isn't the same as doing...

I still struggle to get my 11 and 15 yr olds to obey instructions and I know full well they understand me

My dd is 14 months and very good at communicating and says afew words.Tbh i dont even expect her to understand much i just say NO! when she is smacking the tv or opening the cupboards etc. I have 4 older ones who dont do as they are told either so im used to it
Dont take any notice of the books kids develop at their own pace.

Yes, that's it, isn't it...I believe he really understands almost everything said to him but he's just not going to do everything I say

As I said though, I read that he should be following 'one step instructions' whatever that means, and now I think he should be understanding ALL instructions and doign EVERYTHING I say otherwise there's a problem...

The books send me crazy with worry...I should stop reading, you're right