Your Clever Toddler in Week 104: Fast-Mapping Words

Let's say you're making a turkey for dinner. You're searching in your kitchen for your seldom-used baster. Your child's watching from her high chair as you talk to yourself, "Where is that baster? I know it's here somewhere." And then finally you find it, saying, "I found the baster! I knew it was here!"

A week goes by and you decide to play a kitchen gadget game with your child. You lay out your baster, a cheese grater, and a citrus zester. Ask your child for the baster, and your clever toddler will likely hand over the correct gadget—having only heard its name just once before. What an amazing mind!

This is the final installment of your child's week-by-week brain development newsletters. Review all 52 weeks of incredible toddler learnings here, then sign up for more fun newsletters from our family of sites.

Coming soon, look forward to: Your Child's Second Birthday Party!
Review the most recent accomplishments: Week 103: Using Imagination!

Curious about how else your toddler might be developing right now? Learn more about her clever brain and her growing body here:

• What's happening in Month 24?
• Here's what our pediatrician says you might be worried about this month.