You asked

My 13 month old seems to be very self centred. Is this normal?

A 13-month-old child is naturally self-centred. In fact, although you are probably the most important other person in his life, he truly does believe that the whole world revolves around himself.

That is why your child has difficulty sharing, and why you will notice that even when your toddler plays next to other children, there is no real interaction.

Your child is also likely to be quite demanding, and has probably started to learn that they are able to influence the world around them. At this age, it’s not manipulation though – it’s simply their way of learning to assert their independence.

Because your child is still so centred on you, the best thing you can do to boost your child’s emotional and social development is to become his playmate.

Toddlers this age love games of peek-a-boo, hiding behind anything from a chair to their hands, while you pretend that you can’t find them. They are also learning to throw, although catching may be some time off, and a game with a ball is a big favourite. Pointing to and naming objects is another favourite game for toddlers at this age. So try pointing and naming games with body parts, pictures in books and magazines or other objects.

Make sure that your child interacts with other children as well, but understand that it will be a while before your toddler really begins to play with other kids.

More questions

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Serious risks and medical conditions associated with regression of a child’s motor skills
Drooling and difficulty eating can be associated with normal toddler behaviour, illness or sensory processes.
Up to the age of three, your toddler will be over separation anxiety. However, as there are so many separations in the years of growing up – pre-school, a few days away at camp, and even your child’s first year at college, bouts of separation anxiety could very well occur from time to time all through your child’s life.
As long as your toddler has plenty of space and time to play, and practice all their new physical skills, they’re probably doing just fine with her development!
Toddlers are naturally curious about everything. Instead of stifling that curiosity, you should be making every effort to promote it!
Your child’s imagination is not only a source of fun – it’s one of his or her most important early learning tools.
Young children are emotional beings. The worst thing you can do is make them stifle those emotions. Teach them how to cope with them instead, and you’ll raise a well-adjusted child.
If you want your child to grow up with a strong spiritual foundation, it’s never too young to start teaching, but remember to teach by example.
For toddlers, as with older children and adults, happiness comes from inside, not from outside.

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