Toddler
Your child is no longer a baby. They are now active, curious creatures busy learning about themselves and their world. Toddlers are little scientists, testing and exploring everything. They are sure to keep you on your toes. Safety becomes more important than ever during this stage. Your child is discovering their sense of self and will want to try new things, but is still eager to be comforted by you. Celebrate their efforts and help them problem solve through trial and error. These can be challenging times, as toddlers assert their newfound independence. “No!” becomes their favorite word. You can help guide them through this stage by gently and consistently enforcing rules and modeling self-control by staying calm during tantrums.
What to Expect
Social & Emotional
- Copies others, especially adults and older children
- Gets excited when with other children
- Shows more and more independence
- Shows defiant behavior (doing what he has been told not to)
- Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games
Language/Communication
- Points to things or pictures when they are named
- Knows names of familiar people and body parts
- Says sentences with 2 to 4 words
- Follows simple instructions
- Repeats words overheard in conversation
- Points to things in a book
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers
- Begins to sort shapes and colors
- Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books
- Plays simple make-believe games
- Builds towers of 4 or more blocks
- Might use 1 hand more than the other
- Follows 2-step instructions such as, “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.”
- Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog
Movement/Physical Development
- Stands on tiptoe
- Kicks a ball
- Begins to run
- Climbs onto and down from furniture without help
- Walks up and down stairs holding on
- Throws ball overhand
- Makes or copies straight lines and circles
Social & Emotional
- Likes to hand things to others as play
- May have temper tantrums
- May be afraid of strangers
- Shows affection to familiar people
- Plays simple pretend, such as feeding a doll
- May cling to caregivers in new situations
- Points to show others something interesting
- Explores alone but with parent close by
Language/Communication
- Says several single words
- Says and shakes head “no”
- Points to show someone what he wants
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
- Knows what ordinary things are for; for example, telephone, brush, spoon
- Points to get the attention of others
- Shows interest in a doll or stuffed animal by pretending to feed
- Points to one body part
- Scribbles on his own
- Can follow 1-step verbal commands without any gestures; for example, sits when you say “sit down”
Movement/Physical Development
- Walks alone
- May walk up steps and run
- Pulls toys while walking
- Can help undress herself
- Drinks from a cup
- Eats with a spoon
Some local resources for your toddler include:
Medical Provider/OB
Pediatrician
Welcome Newborns (Potty Training Info)
Department of Health & Human Services
www.babycenter.com - the discipline tool kit-successful strategies for every age
If you are curious about your child's development, click here to take an online screening
If you are curious about your child's social and emotional development, click here to take an online screening