The Stages of Age One in Child Development

Age one in child development is considered the one-year interval between 12 and 24 months old. Growth is exponential at this age. There are significant physical, motor, cognitive, language, social and psychological developments for one year olds. It is at this age that the child ceases to be a baby and becomes a toddler.

Physical Development

• The weight of a one year old is around three times the toddler's birth weight. The rate of growth begins to slow. The size of the head increases slowly at a rate of 1.3 centimeters every six months. The skull becomes thicker. The legs are still bowed but that changes as the child begins to walk. The child also starts to lose baby fat when walking occurs.

Motor Development

• The child will improve his crawling ability and will begin to stand; some children may attempt to walk. He will be able to stand up by himself. He is able to interact with his environment; he can pick up objects, throw them and push and pull toys. He can hold objects such as crayons and can draw.

Cognitive Development

• The toddler understands spatial relation and can appreciate hiding and discovering objects. She learns where objects are located, such as favorite toys. She can manage more than one object with two hands, and she will understand how different objects go together, such as a bowl and spoon. She can understand pictures, name objects and crudely mimic facial expressions. Her vocabulary increases.

Language Development

• The toddler begins to shift away from "baby talk" and form words in simple sentences. He will also understand more sentences and is able to take direction. He has a vague sense of rhythm and the concept of conversation. He will be able to name certain familiar objects and people. The toddler's vocabulary is typically less than 50 words.

Social and Psychological Development

• Toddlers begin to understand their relationship with others and to the self. They can understand the concept of putting away toys -- responsibility for self. They are comfortable playing by themselves or in a group. The toddler appreciates touching, cuddling and physical interaction. She can demonstrate affection and wants more attention as a result. She is able to recognize herself in a mirror and has a concept of self. She begins to understand that she has more control of the world and may exert her independence by not following parents' direction. She becomes increasingly curious about the world, people and new things.