Review the physical, mental and social abilities and interests for younger toddlers aged 12-23 months. Note that these lists indicate average development - the age range at which the 'average' child can he expected to achieve a particular skill or develop a specific interest. The ages in the text are only approximate. Children develop skills at uneven rates - any one child may be 'above average' in one skill and 'below average' in another skill. For an individual child, the parent is the best judge of the child's abilities and interests at any point in his or her development. Be sure to talk to your pediatrician or an early childhood development expert if you have any concerns about your child's development.
Toddler Physical Development
- endless exercise of physical skills.
- likes to lug, dump, push, pull, pile, knock down, empty and till.
- likes to climb - can manage small indoor steps.
- manipulation is more exploratory than skillful.
- active interest in multiple small objects.
- by 2 years, can kick, catch a large ball.
- by 2 years, can string large heads, turn knob, use screw motion. (All beads given to this age gioup should be at least 1-3/4 niches (44 mm) in diameter, however, if any object appeais to hi easily in the child's mouth, keep it away from the child.)
Toddler Mental Development
- interest in causing effects.
- interest in mechanisms and objects that move or can he moved-prefers action toys.
- combines objects with other objects - makes simple block structures, uses simple stacking toys, does simple puzzles.
- very curious - constant experimentation with objects.
- interest in hidden-object toys.
- at 1 1/2 to 2 years, groups/matches similar objects - enjoys simple sorting toys.
- identifies objects by pointing - can identify pictures in book.
- enjoys water, sand play.
- makes marks on paper, scribbles spontaneously.
- first imitative play - imitation of adult tasks, especially caretaking and housekeeping tasks.
Toddler Social Development
- most solitary play - relates to adults better than to children.
- tries to do adult tasks.
- expresses affection for others - shows preference for certain soft toys, dolls.
- likes being read to, looking at picture books, likes nursery rhymes.
- by 1 1/2, enjoys interactive games such as tag.
