Toddler Development

I’m looking at toddlers this week. Yesterday, it was the toddler’s rules of ownership … defined in one word … “MINE!” Yes, all caps and exclamation mark. I’ll keep these posts shorter than normal; after all, toddlers have shorter attention spans.

But what defines a toddler? When has a child reached such a stage in their development that they are considered a toddler? By a Cleveland Clinic article, toddlers, defined from age 1 to 3, have reached such a stage where they …

• Are More independence
• Feed themselves
• Talk by using new words, echoing words, saying their first and last name.
• Understand simple commands like “no” and “stop”
• Dress with little assistance
• Share toys and take turns while playing

Another article, by Psychology Today, declares their social development includes …

• Temper tantrums
• Fear of strangers
• Greater pretend play
• Affection to familiar friends
• Clinginess
• Pointing
• Mimicry
• Defiance
• Forming sentences
• Scribbling
• Name recognition
• Complete simple rhymes
• Favor the dominant hand

These are bit obvious. But let me share some development principles that even me, and you, as adults can build upon …

• Empathy can be developed but is better if displayed by those they care about (parents, etc.) Parents (leaders) who talk about emotions, help develop higher level of empathy.
• Sharing starts to become natural, even sharing food if they are hungry. This shows a deepening of concerns for others.
• Fair play is recognized, and appreciated.
• Kids start to help out more. However, if that is connected to rewards for helping, than developing a natural instinct to chip in just to be helpful is stunted. Let’s help others just for the sake of helping.
• Word development is critical. Parents/Caregivers who use a broader vocabulary help the intellectual development of the toddler. We need to stop dumbing down our conversations and have higher expectations of others.

What do I see for me … for you …

—- Be more selfless, it impacts selflessness in others
—- Be more caring of others, it is contagious
—- Have higher expectations of ourselves and others, it brings out more
—- Play, work, live fairly … people notice