Wonder Weeks Leap 10

YOU MADE IT!! The end of the Leaps - and the start of a new kind of parenting.

The final leap, and it’s a crescendo

Somewhere between around 70 weeks post due date (around 18 months old give or take for this one), your child enters Leap 10, the final Wonder Weeks leap.

But before you cue the celebratory music, let’s talk honestly: this one’s not necessarily a walk in the park (were any?!)

It’s intense. Emotional. And full of push-pull behaviour that can leave even the most patient parent wondering: What happened to my sweet baby?

Here’s the science (and real-life context) to help you through.

The science: What’s changing in your toddler’s brain?

Leap 10 marks the beginning of principled thinking. Your toddler is starting to understand rules, values, and intentions but they’re not yet emotionally equipped to manage the frustration that comes with them.

According to the Harvard Centre on the Developing Child, around this age, your child’s brain is building new connections between emotional regulation (the limbic system) and higher-order thinking (the prefrontal cortex). But the pathways are immature which is why your toddler might hit, shout, or sob… and then cuddle you five minutes later.

They’re learning big concepts: right and wrong, fair and unfair, kind and unkind. But the feelings? Still messy. Still real. Still very much your problem to help them navigate.

What this means for your toddler

• You may see more tantrums, especially around limits

• They might test you - saying “no” when they mean yes, or vice versa

• They might copy behaviour from others, then try it on you (hello, boundary-pushing)

• You’ll notice greater independence, but also big clinging moments

• They may suddenly struggle with sleep again - protesting naps, bedtime, or overnight wakes

  
  

This leap is less about doing and more about feeling and understanding. That’s why the changes might be harder to spot, but deeply felt.

Why Leap 10 feels so emotional (for both of you)

Your toddler is entering a new world: the world of empathy, morals, and social rules. But they’re still babies in many ways. This internal conflict - I want to be independent, but I’m still unsure - plays out in clinginess, meltdowns, and defiance.

They’re not being manipulative.

They’re becoming more human (lol, can I say that?! You get me though, right?)

And it’s a lot.

Quick aside: when you're both angry, sometimes they need a moment and some deep breaths, and sometimes they need a cuddle. Offer both. At the end of the day, we are the ones teaching them how to regulate emotions. We are their role model. Showcase empathy, patience and grace. You'll be surprised how often they dig in their heels and can't undo it and need that offer of a hug to fix everything.

What helps during Leap 10

Hold the boundary, but hold them too

“Yes, I hear you’re upset. And bedtime is still bedtime.” Calm consistency matters more than perfection.

Name their emotions

“You’re frustrated because you wanted another story.” This helps them learn to self-regulate, eventually.

Offer small choices

“Red socks or blue?” Feeling some control reduces the power struggles.

Read books about feelings, fairness, and rules

Stories like Hands Are Not for Hitting or No David! help toddlers process real-life limits in a safe way. Hot tip: Need a story about a brave prince/ss who rides dinosaurs and learns to apologise? Yawn writes sleep stories about your child with inbuilt lessons and themes of your choice!

Stick to sleep sweet spots and nap/bedtime norms

Wake windows are around 5–6 hours now. Use:

Last sleep wake-up + age-appropriate wake window = bedtime sweet spot

Set a timer 15 mins before that so you can start winding down early. The overtired-overwrought combo is real.

Sleep during Leap 10

It’s common to see:

• Resistance at bedtime

• Separation protest (clinginess at night)

• Early wakes or nap skipping

These aren’t bad habits, they’re a result of growing awareness. Keep your rhythm consistent, and offer reassurance without creating new sleep props you’ll need to wean later.

If you’re not sure what’s a phase vs a pattern, you know where to go! We’ll help you decode it based on your child, not just generic advice. 24/7.

What’s a problem right now

✔️ Refusing a nap some days

✔️ Wanting more contact at bedtime

✔️ Asking the same question 80 times

✔️ Crying over the “wrong” colour cup

It’s all part of integrating new knowledge and developing emotional regulation. You don’t have to solve it, just help them through it.

Common myths during Leap 10

Myth: “They should know better by now.”

Truth: Yeah, but they’re only just starting to understand intent and consequences. Knowing a rule doesn’t mean they can follow it consistently - yet.

Myth: “You’re spoiling them by being too soft.”

Truth: Consistent, loving boundaries are the opposite of spoiling. They teach safety, trust, and long-term self-discipline.

If you could ask an expert one thing...

👉 Ask Yawn. We’ll help you respond in a way that works for your child and for you.