Toddler Development

Growth

• Begins to slow after year 1• Arms and legs get longer and more muscular• Process of losing body fat

PHYSICAL• Throwing and Kicking a ball• Pushing and Pulling• Squatting• Climbing• Running• Potty Training• Jumping• Changing speed and direction• Climbing into a steady chair• Dancing

EMOTIONAL

• Temper tantrums• Defiant behaviour shown• Shows affection• Shows concern for others• Understands idea of “mine” or “no”• Begins to show signs of guilt or remorse

PSYCHOLOGICAL / EMOTIONAL

• Prereading (how books work, reading from left to right, telling stories, beginning and end)

• Gaining Independence (dressing self, helping mom and dad)

• Using simple sentences• Learning empathy

• Toddlers are delighted - and scared - at the same time.

• They try to escape you, but will still look back to be sure you're there.

• They want to test their own will and go contrary to your wishes.

• They have intense fits of frustration when obstacles stand in their way.

COGNITIVE

• Uses common items appropriately (spoon, fork, phone)

• Lines up and stacks blocks• Asks for help when needed• Begins counting and identifying shapes• Begins solving problems (blowing on hot food)

SOCIAL

• Copies others• Plays close to and sometimes with other children• Shows interest in pretend play (e.g. Dolls)• Points to show others things• Notices emotions of others• Usually doesn’t like to share• Excited to see familiar people• Begins to make friends or favour people

PROMOTING SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• Dramatic Play Areas• Turn Taking Activities• Eating/Pretending to Eat• Chores / Tasks

LANGUAGE

• Incorporates plurals on simple words• Recognizes things/pictures when they are

named• Repeats words• Can say first name and age• Follows instructions• Shows interest in reading and writing• Creates sound with toys (animal noises)

LANGUAGE• The toddler very quickly progresses to several new words.

By 18 months: can say about 10 single words.• By 21 months: can say about 20 single words.• By about 21 months: two-word links appear, such as "no more".• By 24 months: can say from 50 to 100 words.•

A toddler tends to repeat words that others sayBy about 36 months: children regularly use five or six-word sentences.

•Important: Be aware that children understand more than they can say.

Early in the second year, a child will understand a number of words you say.By 18 months: understands directions, such as "come here" or "give me" (although they frequently may choose not to follow the direction).

• By 24 months: understands more difficult directions; "Put the ball on the table," or "Give the ball to Daddy."

• By 36 months: understands questions such as, "What is your name?"