What is a toddler's development?
Toddler’s development includes the physical, emotional, behavioral and mental growth of children from ages one to three years old. The various factors that influence the toddler’s development include
- Culture
- Environment
- Socioeconomic status
- Genetics
Children who suffer from malnutrition or who lack social stimuli or access to proper health care may develop more gradually than children born in better social conditions.
A toddler’s development during the first year includes
- Communication and language skills
- Says up to 10 to 20 words
- Grasps one-step commands
- Can point to some body parts
- Movement and physical development
- Walks alone
- Pulls toys behind when walking
- Throws a ball
- Stands on tiptoes
- Begins to run
- Scribbles when given a crayon
- Becomes more mobile
- Takes off some clothes
- Climbs up the stairs when handheld
- Increasing social and emotional development
- Asserts themselves by crying and throwing tantrums
- Engages in pretend play
- Enthusiastic about other children’s company
- Shows fondness
- Cognitive skills (thinking and learning)
- Becomes aware of themselves and surroundings
- Recognizes themselves in a mirror or picture
- Mimics behavior of others, especially adults or older children
- Identifies the names of familiar people and objects
- Sorts by shape and color
- Eagerness to explore new objects
A toddler’s development during the second year includes
- Communication and language skills
- Says more than 50 words
- Says at least two-word sentences
- Strangers can understand half of the sentences said
- Uses some actual words instead of baby talk
- Movement and physical development
- Runs well
- Kicks a ball
- Walks down the stairs
- Draws lines and circular scribbles
- Starts self-feeding
- Social and emotional development
- Plays enthusiastically with other children
- Fears loud sounds, specific animals, etc.
- Might inform you when their diaper is soiled
- Cognitive skills
- Follows a two-step command
- Names many body parts
- Matches shapes
- Points out pictures in books
- Starts to engage in pretend play such as feeding a doll
When should I be worried about a toddler’s development?
Some signs could signal a developmental delay. Consult your child’s pediatrician if you find that your child
- Makes limited eye contact
- Doesn’t run or always walks on tippy toes
- Doesn’t speak or makes vowel sounds but no consonant sounds or words
- Doesn’t express emotions in response to others or surroundings
- Doesn’t engage in pretend play
- Has lost skills
- Shows weakness on one side of the body
What parenting tips can help raise a toddler?
During the first year, these parenting tips may be helpful.
- Talk to your child to develop their language.
- Read to your toddler daily.
- Encourage the child to explore new things.
- Ask the child to find an object by hiding it.
- Respond to wanted behaviors more than you punish the unwanted ones.
- Encourage the child’s curiosity and ability to recognize common objects.
- Take your child on field trips regularly.
- Play matching games with toddlers.
During the second year, these parenting tips can be helpful.
- Persuade the child to tell you their name and age.
- Teach your child songs or small rhymes.
- Set up a special time for reading books.
- Promote your child to take part in pretend play.
- Give the child attention and praise when they follow instructions and show positive behavior.
- Limit attention toward their tantrums.
SLIDESHOW
Parenting Guide: Healthy Eating for Kids See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
References
Medscape Medical Reference
CDC
KidsHealth.org
CDC
KidsHealth.org
Complete List
Top What Is a Toddler's Development Related Articles
At What Age Do Late Talkers Talk?
Late talkers are toddlers (18 to 30 months old) who have a limited vocabulary for their age, but do not have any other developmental delays. Some late talkers may talk by three to five years of age.
At What Age Does Gender Identity Develop?
Research shows that children recognize their own gender and gender in others starting as early as two or three years old.
Do Babies Get Shots at Their 18-Month Checkup?
Babies may get a few shots at their 18-month checkup if they did not get them during their last checkup.
New Parents Mistakes
Parenting a child isn't easy. Explore the top 10 mistakes that new parents make. Discover newborn parenting tips for breastfeeding, learn to deal with crying babies, child's fevers, and more.
Parenting
Good parenting helps foster empathy, honesty, self-reliance, self-control, kindness, cooperation, and cheerfulness, says Steinberg, a distinguished professor of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia. It also promotes intellectual curiosity, motivation, and desire to achieve. It helps protect children from developing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, antisocial behavior, and alcohol and drug abuse.
Crying & Colic Slideshow
Learn top parenting tricks for calming crying, colicky, and fussy newborns and babies.
Parenting Guide: Healthy Principles That Work
Good parenthood 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.
Child's 2nd Year Slides
Your child's second year is full of toddler milestone such as running, climbing, kicking a ball, and more. Discover child developmental events that occur during the first two years of life.
What age is a child considered a toddler?
A child between one to three years of age is considered a toddler. This is the time that your child is progressing from being an infant to being able to attend a preschool. You will observe drastic changes in the social, emotional, motor and communication skills of your child.
What Age Should a Child Be Potty Trained By?
Potty training is an important milestone in a child’s development journey. Although most toddlers are ready to be potty trained by the age of 18 to 24 months old, some may not be ready even by the age of three years old.
What Are the 5 Stages of Child Development?
Children undergo various changes in terms of physical, speech, intellectual, and cognitive development until adolescence. The five stages of child development include the newborn, infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age stages.
What Are the 6 Stages of Brain Development?
The 6 stages of brain development that happen in the first three years of your life have lasting impacts.What Are the Things Toddlers Do?
A child is a toddler between the ages of one to three years old. At this age, toddlers experience milestones in physical development, cognitive development and language and speech development.
What Should My Child Be Doing at 2 Years?
At two years old, developmental milestones are directed at behaviors that can display a range of cognitive and physical accomplishments. At 2 years old, your child should be able to walk up the stairs, scribble, run, kick a ball, join in during family mealtimes and other activities.