What is a toddler
When children learn to walk, they are called toddlers. Usually this term
is applied to one and two-year-old children.
The toddler stage is characterized by much growth and change, mood swings,
and some negativity. Toddlers are long on will and short on skill. This is why
they are often frustrated and perceived as misbehaving.
Toddlers sometimes get frustrated because they do not have the language
skills to express themselves. Often they have difficulty separating themselves
from their parents and other people who are important to them.
Toddlers Physical Development
One year old toddlers
- They may grow less quickly than during infancy.
- They may eat less, but they tend to eat frequently throughout the day.
- Most walk without support by 14 months.
- Most walk backward and up steps by 22 months.
- They get better at feeding themselves, although spills should still be expected.
- They drink from a cup with help.
- They can stack blocks.
- They can scribble.
Up to the age of 3, biting can be a problem with toddlers, we have produced
a guide to stopping toddlers from biting.
Two year old toddlers
- Children are generally more active than at any other point in their lives.
- They walk, run, climb, walk up and down stairs alone, and dig.
- They throw balls and kick them forward.
- They jump with two feet together.
- They stand on tip toes.
- They take things apart and put them back together. They like to screw and unscrew lids.
- They feel discomfort with wet or soiled diapers.
- They start to show an interest in toilet training.
Toddler Intellectual Development
One year old toddlers
- They are curious.
- They point to objects that they want.
- They imitate animal sounds.
- They name familiar people and objects.
- They combine two words to form a basic sentence.
- They use the pronouns me and mine.
- They use "no" frequently.
- They name body parts and familiar pictures.
- They use objects for their intended purpose.
- They begin to include a second person in pretend play.
- Their attention span is short.
- They can hold a pencil and scribble.
- They are very active.
- Because of their developing imagination, they have trouble knowing what is real and what is pretend.
Two year old toddlers
- They follow simple directions.
- They use three or more words in combination.
- They express their feelings and wishes.
- They use objects to represent other objects.
- They still have a very limited attention span.
- They can memorize short rhymes.
- They join in simple songs.
- They begin to think about doing something before doing it.
- They have trouble making choices, but they want to make choices.
Toddler Development Milestones
Self Control
Self-control is a skill that children learn over time. At 12 to 18 months the
beginnings of self-control emerge as children begin to be more cooperative. That
is, they are now a little more aware of their parents' expectations and can
voluntarily obey simple requests.
At 19 months to 24 months Your child's making big improvements in the area of
self-control at this stage. Research has shown that the ability to resist
temptation — for example, waiting until everyone's seated before opening a
present — improves significantly during these months.
At 25 to 30 months Because your toddler's verbal skills are getting better,
he's also exerting more self-control.
Independence
Your child's sense of individuality takes years to develop. At around 6 or
7 months, she began to realize that she was separate from you and that you
could leave her alone. But once she becomes more social and more confident
that you will, in fact, come back for her.
Your child needs a secure attachment to you before she can move away and
explore her world. Consistently give her love and support, and she'll build
the confidence she needs to strike out on her own.
Extracts from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Part of CYFERNET, the National
Extension Service Children Youth and Family Educational Research Network
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