TODDLER DEVELOPMENT

Toddler Development

Fifteen Months

Your baby has probably tripled her birth weight. Developmental milestones you can expect her to meet include starting to combine syllables, say mama/dada, walk alone, bang objects together, enjoy reading interactively, and point to pictures. Over the next few months she will start to say 3-6 words, understand simple commands, and begin to use a spoon or fork.

This is also a time that your child will begin to explore and try and figure out how things work and will enjoy playtime. It is important to give lots of praise and many opportunities for exploration. If using a pacifier, it is a good time to start restricting its use to only when your baby is in his crib, so that his interest in it will decrease.

Most babies take two naps (length of naps are usually very variable between different children, but naps are usually 1-1 1/2 hours each) during the day at this age and are able to sleep for the majority of the night (at least 11 hours). If not, check to make sure that your baby has a good bedtime routine and has developed the proper sleep associations. See the Sleep Problem Guide for more information on preventing and fixing sleep problems. He may start waking again at times of stress, illness or after learning a new task (such as walking).

Eighteen Months

At this age you can expect your child to walk backwards, walk up steps with her hand held, kick a ball, say 10 to 25 words, name 3 body parts, turn pages of a book and stack two blocks together. Over the next few months your child will learn new words, start to throw a ball overhand, use two word combinations, and remove clothing.

He may begin to play around other children, but it will be 'parallel play.' Children at this age are very self-centered and may play alongside each other, but it will be some time before they actually start playing together. Your child will probably not want to share his things and he may be very possessive. It is important to closely supervise children that are playing together at this age and reassure them that the other child will not keep his toys. Keep a few of his favorite items separate and not available for sharing so that he feels he has some control over things.

This is also a time that your child will begin to explore and try and figure out how things work and will enjoy playtime. It is important to give lots of praise and many opportunities for exploration. If using a pacifier, it is a good time to start restricting its use to only when your baby is in his crib, so that his interest in it will decrease.

Most children take at least one nap (length of naps are usually very variable between different children, but naps are usually 1-1 1/2 hours each) during the day at this age and are able to sleep all night (for 11-12 hours). If not, check to make sure that your baby has a good bedtime routine and has developed the proper sleep associations. See the Sleep Problem Guide for more information on preventing and fixing sleep problems.

Two Years

At this age you can expect your child to put on clothing, brush his teeth with help, stack 4-6 blocks, combine words, know over 50 words, use pronouns (I, me, you, mine), follow two step commands, know his body parts, walk up steps, kick a ball, jump up, throw a ball overhead, and his speech should be half understandable. Over the next year his speech will become more understandable, and he will be able to name pictures and colors. If using a pacifier, it is a good time to start restricting its use to only when your baby is in his crib, so that his interest in it will decrease.

He may begin to play around other children, but it will be 'parallel play.' Children at this age are very self-centered and may play alongside each other, but it will be some time before they actually start playing together. Your child will probably not want to share his things and he may be very possessive. It is important to closely supervise children that are playing together at this age and reassure them that the other child will not keep his toys. Keep a few of his favorite items separate and not available for sharing so that he feels he has some control over things.

Most children take at least one nap during the day at this age (length of naps are usually very variable between different children, but naps are usually 1-1 1/2 hours each) and are able to sleep all night (for 11-12 hours). If not, check to make sure that your baby has a good bedtime routine and has developed the proper sleep associations. See the Sleep Problem Guide for more information on preventing and fixing sleep problems. Now is a good time to consider moving your child into a toddler bed (especially if he can climb out of his crib).

Three Years

At this age your child is becoming more independent and you can expect him to dress himself and button clothes, brush his teeth with help, stack 9-10 blocks, draw circles and squares, use scissors, walk up steps by alternating his feet, jump from a step, hop, walk on his toes, pedal a tricycle, play with imaginary friends, have a very large vocabulary and use 3-4 word sentences and his speech should be 3/4 understandable. Over the next year his speech will become fully understandable.

Your child will now begin to ask ‘why' questions, tell stories, remember nursery rhymes, appreciate special events, and understand daily routines.

Your three year old will now begin to play cooperatively with other children in small groups, share his toys and develop friendships. Playtime will include structured games and fantasy activities.

Most children take at least one naps during the day at this age (length of naps are usually very variable between different children, but naps are usually 1-1 1/2 hours each) and are able to sleep all night (at least 11 hours). If not, check to make sure that your baby has a good bedtime routine and has developed the proper sleep associations. See the Sleep Problem Guide for more information on preventing and fixing sleep problems.