Baby week by week · 15–18 months · 16–17 months: pretend beginnings

Your baby at 72 weeks

From Brittany Ryan, Founder and Mom of Two

What’s happening at about 16 months

A block can become a phone and a spoon can feed a stuffed animal. Early pretend play shows your toddler connecting real experiences with imagination. A child can develop quickly in one area while taking more time in another.

What’s ahead

Play sequences and expressive language may grow. Bring questions or any loss of skills to your child's healthcare professional.

A memory to keep this week

An imaginary moment that surprised you

Safety first

Use close adult supervision. Check every item for choking, strangulation, tip-over, water and fall hazards. Keep button batteries, magnets, medicines and household chemicals locked away.

In the app this week

Try this together: Box becomes a bed, plus this week's memory prompts, a private journal and your Journey, quick logs for firsts like put a toy to bed and started a pretend game. One simple idea at a time, never 47.

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Guided by: CDC milestones + AAP (HealthyChildren.org) + CPSC, written in Brittany's words.

Every pregnancy and every baby is different. This is general, educational information, not medical advice. If something worries you, check with your provider or pediatrician.

Meet our founder

Brittany Ryan

Founder and Mom of Two

Brittany is a mom of two with a background in early childhood development. Little by Little Together began with a beautiful, blank baby book. Like so many parents, she bought baby books with every intention of filling them; instead, they sat in a closet while life kept moving. So she built a personal assistant for parenthood that tells you what matters right now, offers one simple idea at a time, and keeps your story safe.

“You don’t have to remember everything at once. Little by little, there is a story worth keeping.”

Read Brittany's story

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