- Toddlers: Child Development (1-3 Years Old) Center
- Childhood Illnesses Picture Slideshow
- Parenting and Healthy Eating Slideshow Pictures
- Parenting - Fitness and Exercise Slideshow Pictures
- Find a local Pediatrician in your town
- What are developmental milestones for toddlers 1-2 years of age?
- Where can I find tips for caring for a toddler 1-2 years of age?
- How can I ensure the safety of my toddler (1-2 years of age)?
- What are developmental milestones for toddlers 2-3 years of age?
- Where can I find tips for caring for a toddler 2-3 years of age?
- How can I ensure the safety of my toddler (2-3 years of age)?
Developmental Milestones for Toddlers 1-2 Years of Age
During this time, your child is becoming increasingly more mobile, and aware of himself and his surroundings. Her desire to explore new objects and people is also increasing. During this stage, your toddler will show greater independence, begin to show defiant behavior, recognize himself in pictures or a mirror, and imitate the behavior of others, especially adults and older children.
Your toddler will also be able to recognize names of familiar people and objects, form simple phrases and sentences, and follow simple instructions and directions.
For more information on developmental milestones and warning signs of possible developmental delays, visit Learn the Signs. Act Early.
Positive Parenting of Toddlers 1-2 Years of Age
- Keep reading to your toddler daily.
- Ask her to find objects for you or name body parts and objects.
- Play matching games with your toddler.
- Encourage him to explore and try new things.
- Help to develop your toddler's language by talking with her.
- Encourage your toddler's curiosity and ability to recognize common objects by taking field trips together to the park or a bus ride.
Child Safety First (Toddlers 1-2 Years of Age)
As your child is becoming increasingly mobile, his ability to encounter more dangers is increasing as well. Here are a few recommendations to help keep your growing toddler safe.
- Block off stairs with a small gate or fence. Lock doors to dangerous places such as the garage or basement.
- Toddler proof your home by placing plug covers on all unused electrical outlets.
- Keep kitchen appliances, irons, and heaters from the reach of your toddler. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
- Keep sharp objects such as scissors and pens in a safe place.
- Lock up medicines, household cleaners and poisons.
- Never leave her alone in the car, even for a few moments.
- Store any guns in a safe place out of his reach.
Developmental Milestones for Toddlers 2-3 Years of Age
Because of your child's growing desire to assert her independence, this stage is often called the "terrible twos." However, this can be an exciting time for you and your toddler. He will experience huge intellectual, social, and emotional changes that will help him to explore his new world, and make sense of it.
During this stage, your toddler will be able to follow two- or three-phrase commands, sort objects by shape and color, imitate the actions of adults and playmates, and express a wide range of emotions.
For more information on developmental milestones and warning signs of possible developmental delays, visit Learn the Signs. Act Early.
Positive Parenting of Toddlers 2-3 Years of Age
- Set up a special time to read books with your toddler.
- Encourage your child to engage in pretend play.
- Play parade or follow the leader with your toddler.
- Help your child to explore her surroundings by taking her on a walk or wagon ride.
- Encourage your child to tell you his name and age.
- Teach your child simple songs like Itsy Bitsy Spider, or other cultural childhood rhymes.
Child Safety First (Toddlers 2-3 Years of Age)
Encourage your toddler to sit when eating and to chew her food thoroughly.
- Check toys often for loose or broken parts.
- Encourage your toddler not to put pencils or crayons in his mouth when coloring or drawing.
- Never leave your toddler near or around water (that is, bathtubs, pools, ponds, lakes, whirlpools, or the ocean) without someone watching her.
- Never drink hot objects while your child is sitting on your lap. Sudden movements can cause a spill.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Top Toddlers: Child Development Related Articles
Cavities
Learn more about cavities including symptoms, treatment, and prevention. See how tooth decay, plaque, and bacteria contribute to the creation of cavities and how regular brushing and flossing can help prevent dental caries.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an abnormality of motor function and postural tone acquired at an early age (even before birth). Cerebral palsy is generally caused by brain trauma. Types of cerebral palsy include: spastic, dyskinetic (dystonic or choreoathetoid), hypotonic, and mixed types. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, and treatment is generally managing the symptoms of the condition.
Children's Health
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health, and community health.
Croup
Croup is a contagious viral infection that affects children's respiratory system. Symptoms include a barking cough, stridor, fever and difficulty breathing. Treatment my incorporate the use of a humidifier, saline nasal spray, and pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
Hirschsprung Disease
Hirschsprung disease is an inherited condition that is present at birth (congenital) in which the nerves of parts of the large intestine are missing. The primary symptom is constipation. The diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease is made by examining the newborn or child, genetic testing, and other test results. Treatment for Hirschsprung disease is surgery, either pull-through procedure for newborns or ostomy for children. Most newborns and toddlers feel much better after surgery.
Other information about Hirschsprung disease.
Hirschsprung disease is a genetic, or inherited, condition. Other symptoms in newborns and toddlers are:- Diarrhea, often with blood.
- Green or brown vomit
- Abdominal distension
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
- Sepsis
- Failure to thrive in infancy
- Intestinal obstruction
- Slow growth
- Intellectual disability
The only treatment for Hirschsprung disease is surgery. Doctors and surgeons treat newborns with a pull-through procedure in which the surgeon removes the part of the large intestine that is missing nerves and connects it to the healthy part of the anus. Toddlers and children require ostomy surgery, in which part of the intestine is brought through the abdominal wall so that feces can leave the body without passing through the anus. The opening in the abdominal wall is called a stoma, and a removable external pouch is attached to it.
Complications can occur with either type of surgery, and may include:- Narrowing of the anus
- Enterocolitis
- Delayed toilet training
- Stool leaking from the anus
Hirschsprung disease can be a medical emergency that requires surgery. If your newborn or child has these symptoms listed, contact your OB/GYN or Pediatrician urgently.
REFERENCES:
NIH; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Diseases. "Hirschsprung Disease." Updated: Sep 2015.
<https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/hirschsprung-disease>
Genetic Home Reference. "Hirschsprung disease." Updated: Jun 27, 2017.
<https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/hirschsprung-disease#synonyms>
NCBI. "Hirschsprung Disease Overview." Updated: Oct 1, 2015.
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1439/>
NIH; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; GARD. "Hirschsprung's disease." Updated: Jun 01, 2017.
<https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6660/hirschsprungs-disease>
Mumps
Mumps is an acute viral illness caused by the mumps virus. Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, followed by swelling of the salivary glands.
Life After Baby Arrives
What are surprises new parents when they bring a baby home? Learn about infant sleep, getting help, adult relationships, and more, and discover how to make the most out of your experience with a newborn.
Fitness for Kids
Exercise is great for kids, and fun activities for the whole family are there if you know how to find them. Learn how to lose weight and feel great as a family, increase your energy and improve your health through this list of healthy physical exercise tips for kids and adults.
Healthy Eating for Kids
Teaching healthy eating to kids and toddlers can be tricky. How do you get your kids to eat vegetables? Are your kids eating a balanced diet? Our nutrition experts suggest several ways parents can teach the kids in their family how to enjoy healthy, nutritious meals.
Good Parenting Slides
Good parenting isn't magical. It takes learning, dedication, and hard work. Learn how to set rules, offer love, and discipline children appropriately and set yourself on the track to becoming a better parent.
Pinworm Infection
Pinworm infection is an intestinal infection caused by a pinworm, seatworm, or threadworm. Female pinworms leave the intestine through the ankus and deposit eggs on the skin around the anus while a person is asleep. Pinworm infection is the most common worm infection in the U.S. Symptoms include anal itching or vaginal itching. Pinworm infection is generally spread by inadequate handwashing from infected persons. Treatment is effective after a diagnosis is made with a pinworm test.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious viral infection. Symptoms include fever and nasal congestion and discharge. Treatment focuses on supportive care. This disease has a good prognosis in babies and infants.
Roseola
Roseola is a viral illness that most commonly affects young children. Symptoms and signs include a sudden high fever that lasts for three to five days, swollen neck glands, runny nose, puffy eyelids, diarrhea, irritability, and a bulging soft spot on the head.
Sleep
A number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. Sleep needs vary from individual to individual and change throughout your life. The National Institutes of Health recommend about 7-9 hours of sleep each night for older, school-aged children, teens, and most average adults; 10-12 for preschool-aged children; and 16-18 hours for newborns. There are two stages of sleep; 1) REM sleep (rapid-eye movement), and 2) NREM sleep (non-rapid-eye movement). The side effects of lack of sleep or insomnia include:
- Irritability
- Tiredness
- Feeling sleepy during the day
- Concentration or memory problems
Lack of sleep and insomnia can be caused by medical conditions or diseases, medications, stress, or pain. The treatment for lack of sleep and insomnia depends upon the cause.
