Toddler Development

Suddenly your little baby is beginning to walk.
Suddenly your little baby can talk.
Suddenly... your little baby's favorite word is, "NO!"
She says it 500 times a day, accompanied by loud screams and temper tantrums.
She cries because you dressed her in jeans when she wants to wear a tutu, she cries because you told her she can't eat the dog food, and she cries because she's "not tired" even though her eyes are half-closed and five minutes later she will fall asleep in the middle of the kitchen floor.
Congratulations, you have a toddler.

Many parents are concerned that they have done something wrong, or that their child is developing abnormally in toddlerhood. For this reason, we are featuring a developmental checklist on The Spectrum this week, sourced from NSW Community. (Click on the link to see all age ranges of childhood development.)

1-2 Years

- Can take 2-3 steps without support
- Crawls up steps
- Can roll a large ball, using both arms
- Finger feeds efficiently
- Beginning to walk independently, with frequent falls
- Climbs up steps
- Climbs onto chairs
- "Dances" in place to music
- Reverts to crawling when in a hurry, instead of walking
- Can't make sudden stops or turns
- Spends a lot of time exploring and manipulating objects; putting them in her mouth, shaking, banging
- Likes to repeat actions that have predictable or interesting results (i.e. banging a spoon on a pot)
- Likes to repeat actions that make things happen (i.e. opening/closing a door, switching lights on and off)
- When frightened, seeks comfort from somebody to whom they are attached
- Takes cue from primary attachment figure as to how to receive strangers (i.e. If the parent finds the person friendly, the toddler will know how to feel about the person)
- Can drink from a cup
- Stacks 2 blocks
- Puts an object into a container and tips it out again
- Will try to use a spoon or fork (awkwardly)
- Will assist another in distress by patting or offering physical objects
- Will begin to utter one word sentences
- Will point to eyes, nose and mouth in a game with an adult
- Points to things
- Will recognize himself in a mirror
- Comprehends simple questions and demands
- May play alongside other toddlers
- Imitates parents
- Avoids obstacles
- Imitates animal sounds
- Likes books

If you are concerned that your child isn't reaching all of these milestones, remember that all children develop differently. If you are concerned that your child isn't reaching most of these milestones by age 2, contact your pediatrician for a check up.