Toddler Development Stages

Toddlers refer to children between the ages of one and three years old. Many changes occur during the phase between infancy and preschool, as children learn how to walk, become more independent and are toilet trained.

Physical Development

• According to the National Network for Child Care, children learn to walk by 14 months of age and by two years old become extremely active by walking, running and exploring everything. They become fascinated with taking things apart and putting them back together again, and can build simple towers with blocks.

Emotional and Social Development

• Toddlers struggle with wanting to become more independent, yet still needing assistance with many tasks. They become frustrated easily and may throw tantrums. While they may play next to a child in class, toddlers will rarely interact with other children because they are still very focused on themselves.

Intellectual Development

• Toddlers begin to form short sentences to express their wants, yet their favorite word when asked to do something remains "No." Their attention span is limited, so it is important to plan engaging and quick activities with them.

Other Milestones

• During the later toddler years, around two-and-a-half years old, most toddlers are ready to be potty trained. They feel embarrassed when they dirty their diaper and want to model adult behavior.

The Terrible Twos

• The later toddler years are often termed the "terrible twos" because toddlers frequently question everything parents say as they explore their surroundings. They are testing out their independence and still need boundaries and structure.