Toddlerhood: Ages 1 through 2 6 Toddlerhood: Ages 1 through 2

Objectives Analyze the physical development of toddlers. Analyze the cognitive development of toddlers. Analyze the socio-emotional development of toddlers. continued

Objectives Compare and contrast various developmental theories relating to toddlers. Identify developmental milestones often achieved during the toddler years.

Physical Qualities and Changes Toddlers are between 1 and 3 years of age They continue to grow physically, but the pace slows considerably By age 3, toddlers weigh about 32 pounds Their average height is about 38 inches During the toddler years, more teeth develop continued

Physical Qualities and Changes Toddlers learn many new gross- and fine-motor skills As toddlers explore their world, they move constantly Caregivers must be careful to keep medicine and other toxic substances out of reach continued

Physical Qualities and Changes Toddlers no longer require baby foods They learn to feed themselves, use a cup, and can eat foods prepared for the family Toddlers prefer to eat small portions many times during the day They typically need to drink 2 cups of whole milk each day to promote bone growth continued

Physical Qualities and Changes Toddlers often need 10 to 15 hours of sleep each day They are often difficult to “put to bed” or transition from wake time to sleep time When toddlers become fearful and have nightmares, they need comforting to feel safe and secure continued

Physical Qualities and Changes A controversial topic is when and how to teach toileting skills to children Many experts agree that toilet learning should not start until the young child is ready and able to exert bodily control Usually this does not happen until a child is at least 18 months of age continued

Physical Qualities and Changes Regular medical care is important for toddlers Checkups are recommended at 12-, 18-, 24-, and 36-months Dental visits often begin by 2 years of age and then repeat every 6 months afterward Inoculations produce or boost immunity to a specific disease, such as measles or mumps

What is the age range of toddlers? between the ages of 1 and 3 years Describe the gross- and fine-motor skills of toddlers. (Answers will vary, but should include:) gross-motor skills: walking, pulling a toy on a string, running short distances, kicking, throwing, walking backward, climbing stairs; fine-motor skills: feeding themselves finger foods, holding a cup with handles, taking off their clothing continued

How can caregivers promote bone growth in toddlers? by giving them 2 cups of whole milk to drink each day About how many hours of sleep do toddlers need each night? 10 to 15 hours What is an inoculation and what is its purpose? a substance given in shot form, produce or boost immunity to a specific disease

Signs of Cognitive Growth Toddlers combine learned actions to reach goals Their thinking is organized through concepts that gradually become more complex According to Piaget’s theory, toddlers are still in the sensorimotor stage continued

Signs of Cognitive Growth Toddlers discover through their senses Around 18 to 24 months, toddlers also start developing more sophisticated thought processes Caregivers are very instrumental in a toddler’s learning as Vygotsky theorized continued

Signs of Cognitive Growth Helping a child is called scaffolding Vygotsky called this interface of learning the zone of proximal development (ZPD), or the level at which a child can learn with help Once a caregiver can find the child’s ZPD, the child is more likely to learn new skills without feeling overwhelmed continued

Signs of Cognitive Growth During infancy, neurons in the brain grow and sprout branches or pathways, which continue to develop during the toddler years Children’s language skills increase significantly throughout the toddler years By the end of the toddler years, children can usually say several hundred words continued

Signs of Cognitive Growth Toddlers often use one word to describe a whole group of items These are called holophrases Toddlers learn to combine words into two-word combinations This is called telegraphic speech continued

Signs of Cognitive Growth Social interaction has a huge impact on learning Reading to children is one way to build this interaction Books and reading are an excellent way to build bonds and encourage language use ©Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

How do toddlers explore their environments? with their senses Describe the zone of proximal development. Which theorist is known for ZPD? the level at which a child can learn with help, Vygotsky continued

Describe the language development of toddlers. At the beginning of the toddler years, toddlers usually learn to say their first words. By the end of the toddler years, they can usually say several hundred words. They can also use holophrases and telegraphic speech. Define holophrases and give an example. One word descriptors used for many different, but related objects. (Examples will vary.)

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth Babies must have their physical needs met in order to survive They also need to be safe and to feel love and affection Children need a stimulating environment to promote learning continued

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth Children need to have their basic needs met, not neglected, in order to develop trust Erikson described the next stage of socio-emotional development as autonomy versus shame and doubt Toddlers learn to separate themselves from others, with their own will and preferences continued

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth 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 toddlers’ behavior more than when they were infants continued

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth As soon as they are mobile, toddlers are on the move toward independence Around age 2, toddlers become more emotionally sensitive than before They react to many stimulating objects, people, and places in their environment They become easily excited, upset, or scared continued

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth In addition to their own feelings, toddlers are also sensitive to the feelings of others Toddlers are very affectionate to caregivers, family, friends, and pets When caregivers are leaving a room or are away, toddlers often demonstrate separation anxiety continued

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth When toddlers become upset, they often express themselves physically and vocally A temper tantrum or resistance to situations and instructions are ways of expressing their desire to control their world A good way for caregivers to respond is to first acknowledge the toddler’s feelings continued

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth An effective way to ward off many situations is to give toddlers choices Giving toddlers early notice about upcoming events is also helpful A caregiver’s response to situations should be as consistent as possible continued

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth Physical coordination, cognitive development, and socio-emotional growth are all associated with play During the toddler years, toddlers learn to parallel play Caregivers may worry that their toddler is not social in parallel play, but this is normal continued

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth Many parents learn their parenting practices from their own experiences as a child, family members, and the larger culture The larger culture may include media influences There are a variety of ways to nurture young children continued

Signs of Socio-emotional Growth The most essential characteristic of caregivers and family members is to love and cherish their toddlers They should keep their toddlers safe They should talk and interact with their toddlers about everything around them

Describe autonomy versus shame and doubt according to Erikson’s theory. Children begin to see themselves as separate from their caregivers, without feelings of embarrassment or uncertainty. continued

How do relationships with caregivers change during the toddler years? Relationships become much more reciprocal as more two-way interaction occurs. Toddlers are less passive as they reach more toward independence and desire to explore their world. Singing songs, playing games, and practicing motor skills are all essential parts of family relationships. continued

What is a temper tantrum? How can caregivers help reduce tantrums? an emotional episode of upset behavior, by acknowledging a toddler’s feelings to reduce the frustration of these tantrums List three developmentally appropriate guidance techniques a caregiver can use to avoid causing frustration in toddlers. give toddlers choices, give toddlers notice of upcoming events, and give consistent responses to toddlers continued

What type of play do children typically engage in during the toddler years? parallel play What are the most essential characteristics of caregivers and family members? loving and cherishing the toddlers, keeping them safe, talking and interacting with them, looking after their needs, and encouraging them to explore their world and move toward independence

Special Needs Toddlers experience many new abilities and developmental milestones If a developmental delay is evident, the toddler may be displaying signs of a special need One special need that may be detected is a loss of hearing continued

Special Needs In cases where loss of hearing is present at birth, the toddler may need to learn sign language If the toddler has reduced hearing ability, hearing aids, surgery, and other therapy specialists are available to ease hearing ability continued

Special Needs Another physical and cognitive disability that may become apparent is cerebral palsy This condition develops as a result of brain damage Cerebral palsy becomes noticeable as a child grows, but misses developmental milestones Cerebral palsy is not curable, but is treatable

How can a hearing impairment develop? from an illness, head injury, or other accident What are signs of a hearing impairment? a lack of babbling, lack of attention to noise, and other language delays continued

How is cerebral palsy treated? What is cerebral palsy? a condition in which a child has significant delays or difficulties in sitting up, walking, swallowing, and using speech as a result of brain damages How is cerebral palsy treated? with speech and physical therapy, medications, and specialized education