Chapter 6 Toddlers

Physical Development Toddlers are between 1 and 3. Grow at a slower pace. On average by age 3, toddlers weigh around 32 pounds and are about 38 inches tall. Toddlers explore their world and are on the move constantly.

Physical Development No longer require baby food or formula. Instead of formula/breastmilk, toddlers should drink about 2 cups of whole milk each day. They can feed themselves, use a cup and eat foods prepared for the family. Prefer to eat small portions many times a day. Sleep 10 to 15 hours a day. Have trouble transitioning from wake to sleep time.

Physical Development Because they become fearful and have nightmares, they need comforting to feel safe and secure. Toilet training should not start until child is ready and able to exert bodily control. Usually doesn’t happen until around 18 months of age. Medical checkups are recommended at 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. Dental visits often begin at 2 and repeat every 6 months. Immunizations continue.

Cognitive Growth Toddlers combine learned actions to reach goals. Their thinking become more complex. According to Piaget’s theory, they are still sensorimotor. Caregivers are very instrumental in toddler’s learning as Vogotsky theorized. Neurons in the brain continue to grow and sprout branches during the toddler years.

Cognitive Development By end of toddler years, children can usually say several hundred words. Toddlers use holophrases or one word to describe a whole group of items. (ie. toys to describe blocks, trucks and dollies) Toddlers use telegraphic speech or two word combinations to describe a more complex sentence. (ie. “Me go” for I want to go) Reading to children is one way to build social interaction and encourage language use.

Social-emotional Growth Babies must have their physical needs met in order to survive. They need to be safe and to feel love and affection. Children need a stimulating environment to promote learning. Children need to have their basic needs met, not neglected, in order to develop trust. Erickson next stage is autonomy vs. shame and doubt. Toddlers learn to separate themselves from other with their own will and preferences.

Socio-emotional Development The trust babies develop helps them as they begin to achieve autonomy and independence. Relationships with others become much more reciprocal during the toddler years. Caregivers direct toddler’s behavior more than when they were infants. Around age 2, toddlers become more emotionally sensitive than before. They are easily excited, upset or scared.

Socio-emotional Development Toddlers are sensitive to the feelings of others and are affectionate to others. When caregivers are leaving a room or are away, toddlers often demonstrate separation anxiety. A temper tantrum or resistance to situations and instructions are ways to expressing their desire to control their world. A good way to respond is to first acknowledge the toddler’s feelings. Caregivers should talk and interact with toddlers about everything around them.

Socio-emotional Development An effective way to ward off many situations is to give toddlers choices but only if there is really a choice. Giving toddlers early notice about upcoming events is helpful. A caregiver’s response to situations should be as consistent as possible. Physical coordination, cognitive development and socio-emotional growth are all associated with play. Toddlers learn to play alongside another toddler doing the something (parallel play)

Special Needs If developmental delay is evident, the toddler may be displaying signs of special needs. One special need that may be detected is loss of hearing. Sign language is a good for hearing and non-hearing children to learn. Another physical and cognitive disability that may become apparent is cerebral palsy as a result of brain damage.