What Defines a Dreumes
The Dutch term “dreumes” describes a developmental phase typically spanning from around 12 months to 2.5 or 3 years of age. It bridges the dependency of infancy and the independence of the “kleuter” or preschooler stage.
Children in this age group are characterized by significant shifts in capabilities and demeanor. A dreumes begins to exhibit a burgeoning sense of self. This stage is marked by a rapid acquisition of new skills across various developmental domains.
Key Developmental Milestones
During the dreumes stage, children experience significant advancements across multiple developmental areas. Physically, gross motor skills undergo rapid development, with most children transitioning from crawling to walking independently around 12 to 18 months. They soon begin to run, climb, and navigate stairs. Fine motor skills also refine, allowing for activities like stacking blocks, turning pages in a book, and making scribbles with crayons.
Cognitive development in a dreumes includes an expanding understanding of cause and effect and the concept of object permanence, meaning they understand objects still exist even when out of sight. They start engaging in simple problem-solving, such as figuring out how to reach a toy or open a container. Early memory also develops, enabling them to recall recent events or routines.
Language acquisition accelerates dramatically during this period. A dreumes typically moves from single words to combining two words to form simple phrases around 18 to 24 months. Their receptive language, or ability to understand spoken words, often outpaces their expressive language, allowing them to follow simple commands and identify objects when named.
Social-emotional growth is also prominent, as the dreumes begins to assert their independence. They may show a preference for certain caregivers and exhibit empathy towards others. While parallel play, where children play alongside each other without direct interaction, is common, they also start to show interest in peer interactions.
Navigating Common Dreumes Behaviors
The dreumes stage often brings about a range of new behaviors. Tantrums become more frequent as children grapple with strong emotions and limited verbal skills. These outbursts often occur when a dreumes feels frustrated or unable to communicate their needs. They may manifest as:
Crying
Screaming
Hitting
Throwing themselves on the floor
A growing sense of independence often leads to increased assertiveness, exemplified by the frequent use of “no” as they learn to express their own will. This period also sees changes in sleep patterns, with some dreumes experiencing sleep regressions or increased night awakenings. Factors like developmental leaps, changes in routine, or separation anxiety can contribute to these shifts.
Eating habits can also evolve, with many dreumes developing picky eating tendencies or displaying food neophobia, which is a reluctance to try new foods. This phase allows children to assert control, including over food intake. Signs of readiness for potty training may emerge later in this stage, such as consistent dry periods or showing interest in using the toilet.
Practical Guidance for Parents
Supporting a dreumes involves fostering their development and navigating new behaviors. To encourage language skills, parents can engage in frequent conversations, read aloud from books, and label objects and actions. Unstructured play with age-appropriate toys, such as blocks, puzzles, and art supplies, helps refine motor skills while stimulating cognitive growth. Encouraging exploration within safe boundaries also supports problem-solving abilities.
Managing challenging behaviors like tantrums requires patience and consistent strategies. Acknowledging the child’s feelings while setting clear boundaries helps them learn emotional regulation. Offering limited choices also provides a sense of control and reduces power struggles. For sleep challenges, establishing a consistent bedtime routine and creating a calming sleep environment promotes better rest.
Addressing picky eating often involves offering a variety of nutritious foods repeatedly without pressure and allowing the child to self-regulate intake. Promoting independence is achieved by allowing the dreumes to participate in simple tasks, such as dressing themselves or helping with tidying up, which builds self-confidence. As mobility increases, heightening home safety by securing furniture, blocking off dangerous areas, and supervising closely becomes more important.