Toddlers Development

Recently Answered

• QWhat does walking normally look like in toddlers?

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  A StoneSprings Hospital Center answered

  Learning to walk takes a lot of practice—and that practice can go on for a long time. Most children take their first steps around their first birthday. However, the normal range for reaching this milestone is up to 18 months. Kids who are learning to walk are called "toddlers" because that's exactly what they do—they “toddle.” They keep their legs wide apart and seem to hesitate between each step, jerking from side to side as they move one foot forward, and then the next. 

  Soon after your toddler takes her first steps, she'll learn to stoop down, and then stand back up again. If your child is an early walker, she probably loves toys that she can push or pull as she toddles. 

  About 6 months after taking their first steps, toddlers develop a more mature gait (or walk), and hold their hands at their sides (rather than out in front for balance). They move with their feet closer together. They move their feet, heel to toe, in a way that looks more like walking and less like waddling.

  This answer was created with the help of physicians at South Riding Pediatrics (www.SouthRidingPediatrics.com) and www.HealthyChildren.org

• QWhat are the developmental stages of babies from 12 to 24 months?

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  A StoneSprings Hospital Center answered

  Children go through a great deal of rapid development between ages 1 and 2. Many babies start to take their first steps by 12 or 13 months and ought to be walking alone by 18 months. Other motor skills developing during this time include:

  • pulling toys behind when walking
  • beginning to run
  • standing on tiptoes
  • kicking and throwing a ball

  Important verbal and social development skills typically noted during 12 to 24 months are:

  • following simple commands (at first when the adult speaks and gestures, and then later with words alone)
  • getting objects from another room when asked
  • pointing to a few body parts when asked
  • pointing to interesting objects or events to get you to look at them, too
  • bringing things to you to show you
  • pointing to objects so you will name them

  At this age, babies will name a few common objects and pictures when asked and should learn about one new word per week between 1½ and 2 years of age. They will use gestures and words with you or with a favorite stuffed animal or doll. By age 2, children should be able to use simple two-word phrases. Also around this age, children start to enjoy pretending (for example, pretending they are cleaning the house).

  This answer was created with the help of physicians at South Riding Pediatrics (www.SouthRidingPediatrics.com) and www.HealthyChildren.org.

• QWhat are important cognitive milestones for my one year old?

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  A StoneSprings Hospital Center answered

  One-year-old children are curious about most everything and try hard to explore the world around them. A typical 12-month-old child will display the following cognitive milestones:

  • explore objects in many different ways (such as shaking, banging, throwing, and dropping)
  • find hidden objects easily
  • look at the correct picture when an image is named (such as focus on a picture of a “dog” when asked)
  • imitate gestures and sounds
  • begin to use objects correctly (for example, drinking from cup, brushing hair, dialing phone, listening to receiver)

  In terms of language skills, a typical 12-month-old will show these cognitive milestones:

  • pay increasing attention to speech
  • respond to simple verbal requests
  • respond to “no”
  • use simple gestures, such as shaking head for “no”
  • babble with inflection
  • say “dada” and “mama” although not always appropriately
  • use exclamations, such as “oh-oh!”
  • try to imitate words

  This answer was created with the help of physicians at South Riding Pediatrics (www.SouthRidingPediatrics.com) and www.HealthyChildren.org

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• QWhat are ways to help a toddler develop?

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  A RealAge answered

  The following tips can help with your toddler's development:

  • Kids learn more from nonverbal signals than actual words. How you say something is just as important as what you say.
  • Finger paints may make a mess in the house, but art is good for the brain. Let the creative juices flow, even if you need to go to the garage to do so.
  • Get your child into the habit of washing his hands before eating, after playing outside and after using the bathroom (when he learns how). You don't want to be an over-the-top clean freak (some docs believe that makes kids more prone to allergies), but hand washing does help reduce the spread of germs.
  • Show him the fountain, the park bench, the bird, this and that, and on and on. Talk to your child. Teach him words by showing him the world.
  • Practice telling your child exactly what she did well ("Good jumping!") rather than giving general praise ("You're the best!"). Children learn and develop more if you honor their strengths rather than pump them with accolades they know you're saying just because you're the parent.
  • Don't leave home without your child's favorite blankie—and have an identical spare at home!
  • Ideal daily menu for a toddler: 100 percent whole-grain high-protein cereal, whole fruit and milk for breakfast; fruit or 100 percent whole-grain crackers (maybe with some cheese, or peanut or nut butter for protein), and water for snack; half a sandwich, applesauce and milk for lunch; yogurt for snack; protein, starch, colored veggie, fruit and water for dinner. You can also offer some milk before bedtime. (Don't forget to brush!)
  • If you can expose your child to two (or more) languages, do it. The brain structure of children who learn a second language after infancy but before age 5 shows more neural growth. Mamma mia!
  • Get out the pots and pans and let Junior play the kitchen band!
  • Talk, talk, talk to your child.
  • You should be comfortable choosing to "agree to disagree" with your pediatrician. But in some cases, choosing a different doc—one whose principles align more closely with yours—may be in order.
• QWhat are some developmental milestones for toddlers?

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  A Alliance For Kids® answered

  Developmental milestones for toddlers include the following:

  • seeks independence
  • develops language skills
  • learns new skills like walking and toilet training
  • uses mobility is a means to learning
  • threatened by changes in routine

  This content originally appeared on the Alliance for Kids website.
• QHow can I help improve my child's language development?

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  A Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain Healthcare

  Talking to your child is one of the most important ways to stimulate her language development. Try to use these ideas throughout your daily routine (bathing, mealtime, playtime, washing, etc.).

  • Tune in and talk slowly: Tune in to your child's play, conversation, and thoughts. Listen to what your child says, look at her, and let her talk. Often our rate of speech is too fast for a young child to follow easily, so slow down.
  • Make talking fun and meaningful: Praise your child for new words used, complete sentences, etc.
  • Look at your child and meet your child's same eye level: Your talk will be most helpful if your child can see your face, particularly your mouth, while you speak. By meeting your child's same eye level by sitting or kneeling, you send a message that she is important, and this can enhance her self-esteem.
  • Talk about the here and now: Talk about things as they are taking place or just after they happen, getting your child involved whenever possible.
  • Talk about what the two of you are doing: Using short sentences, assume the role of commentator for your child and yourself.
  • Repeat words and phrases often: Pleasant repetition of the same word gives your child many chances to listen, understand, and imitate.
  • Simplify the environment: This way you make your voice the center of attention. Turn off the television, radio, and stereo.
  • Clarify the meaning of your child's speech when it is unclear: This provides a correct model of speech so your child has a chance to listen to and imitate the words.
  • Give feedback and expand: Repeat what your child says, correcting incorrect sounds and words or adding new information.
  • Use self-talk: Talk about what you're doing. Describe each action and object.
  • Use parallel talk: This is the same thing as self-talk except you describe and talk about what your child is doing.
  • Name and point: Name things for your child. Don't be afraid to point out new words not yet in your child's vocabulary.
  • Fill-in-the-blank: Start a sentence and let your child finish.
  • Make mistakes: Make obvious mistakes in your language that your child may notice, such as in logic or storytelling. This does not include grammatical mistakes. Pause and wait for a response. It will usually come!
  • Praise, praise, praise: Make your child feel special. This also means you should be careful not to say anything negative about your child when she is present. Be positive and supportive.

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• QHow does language develop in a 4-year-old?

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  A Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain Healthcare

  Language development in a 4-year-old includes:
  
  Receptive language skills (what a child understands)

  • identifies basic colors
  • understands basic prepositions such as on, in, under, beside
  • demonstrates interest in "why" and "how" questions
  • knows the names of familiar animals
  • understands contrasts such as longer, larger
  • easily follows simple (one-step) commands

  Expressive language skills (what a child says)

  • expresses complex ideas in short sentences
  • counts to 10
  • uses up to 1,500 words
  • begins using past tense correctly
  • repeats words, phrases, syllables, and even sounds
  • names common objects in picture books or magazines
• QHow does language develop between 19 and 24 months of age?

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  A Intermountain Registered Dietitians , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered on behalf of Intermountain Healthcare

  Language development from 19 to 24 months of age includes:
  
  Receptive language skills (what a child understands)

  • identifies up to five body parts
  • identifies common objects and pictures when named
  • recognizes new words daily
  • understands some complex sentences

  Expressive language skills (what a child says)

  • speaks up to 50 words
  • begins using two-word sentences
  • begins using pronouns
  • refers to self by name
  • begins talking about things she is interested in -- things that move, do something, or things she can do something with
• QHow do I teach my toddler about sex?

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  A Good In Bed answered

  As your child becomes a toddler, situations may present themselves that can lead to "teachable moments," or you might want to bring up various topics if your child isn't inquiring. Common themes to discuss during these ages include: explaining the difference between "good" touch and "bad" touch, using proper names for all body parts including the genitals, explaining how babies are made, explaining the differences between girls and boys, and a whole lot more.
• QShould I encourage a child's independent behavior?

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  A Discovery Health answered

  Learn why babies feel the need to exert their independence in this video from Discovery Health.