 12 months to three years  Growth rate slows down  3 inches a year, 4-6 pounds a year  Body becomes more proportionate  Bones gradually harden or ossify

 Complete set of deciduous teeth  Extremities grow fast (pot belly)  Hearing tests – Eustachian tube shorter  Vital signs begin to slow down  Visit the eye doctor (lazy eye)

 Depends on maturation of muscle, bones, and nerves  Must be ready physically and mentally for new tasks  Balance one one foot, jump with both feet, walk up stairs with both feet, runs

 Ride a tricycle  Puts simple puzzles together  Builds a tower of blocks  Cooies circle or vertical lines  Turns knobs and opens lids (safety?)

 Eating  Toileting  Usually more important for parent  Must be able to communicate  By 2 ½ are bladder trained  Handle matter of factly

 Dressing  Communication  Washing  Brushing teeth

 Autonomy  Independence  Encourage toddlers to make decisions  They still need much guidance  Caregiver needs to be consistent and reinforce limitations

 Pre-operational thought  Toddlers interpret new experiences based on memories of previous happenings

 Occurs as children imitate parent’s moral behavior and teachings

 Develops along with memory and cognition  Young toddlers use one word sentences  3 year olds have a vocabulary of 3,000 words and use multiple sentences  Read to child and encourage speech

 Well balanced for bone and muscle growth  Portion sizes vary according to child and activity level  Likes and dislikes influenced by family members  Most toddlers like “carry” food  Give food choices, ignore refusals, toddlers like consistency

 Decreases during this time  Short naps needed  Bedtime rituals help reduce anxiety  Night mares should be handled in a consistent comforting manner

 Major influence on exploration and understanding of the world  Prefer parallel play  Do not interact or share well  Imaginary playmate common  Tricycles, swings, climbers, rocking horse, color cubes, painting, musical instruments I-pad

 Naturally curious-keep from danger  Continuous supervision  Car safety, road safety, poisonings, burns, choking and suffocation

 Regular check-ups  18 months, 24 months, 36 months  See dentist when all deciduous teeth are in

 Birth of another child can cause sibling rivalry  Promoting self-esteem  Attend to child’s needs quickly  Spend special time with child  Ignore mishaps  Convey positive regard  Label behavior –NOT CHILD  Positive feedback  Be congruent with communication  If indicated offer an apology