Checklist for Physical Development of Toddlers

The toddler stage ranges from ages 1 to 3, beginning when a child learns to walk. During these years, a child begins to develop gross motor skills such as walking, throwing a ball, walking up steps and riding a tricycle. He also develops fine motor skills such as stacking blocks, using a spoon and scribbling. Every child develops at her own pace; the following represents a general guideline of what to expect in your toddler's physical development.

Walking

• 12 to 15 months: Most toddlers will begin to walk. Parents of children not walking by 18 months should consult their pediatricians to have them evaluated.
  16 to 18 months: Toddlers learn to walk backwards and can walk up stairs with assistance. Toddlers walking on stairs will do so by leading with the same foot each time as opposed to alternating feet.
  2 years: Toddlers can walk unassisted.
  3 years: Toddlers can walk up and down stairs, using alternating footsteps.

Eating

• Toddlers begin to eat less volume but at increased frequency through the day.
  1 year: Toddlers improve self-feeding skills but still have frequent spills.
  2 years: Toddlers become adept at using a spoon and can easily drink from a cup.

Appearance

• As toddlers get older, many begin losing baby fat and increasingly look more like active toddlers than infants. Facial features become more distinct, and toddlers' faces loses some of their roundness. Toddlers' legs and arms become longer and their bodies become more proportional. Their feet begin pointing forward rather than to the side as they walk.

Throwing, Running, Kicking

• 18 to 24 months: Toddlers begin throwing balls overhand and can kick a ball to move it forward.
  2 years: Toddlers can stand on tiptoes, begin to experiment with running, can jump in place and can climb on furniture.
  3 years: Toddlers can pedal a tricycle, kick, climb, stand on one foot for short periods of time and run unassisted.

Additional Activities

• 15 to 18 months: Toddlers can make "scribble" artwork.
  2 years: Toddlers can stack four or more blocks to build a tower, screw and unscrew lids and empty objects out of a container. By age 2, toddlers often begin to gain an interest in digging and can jump with both feet together.
  24 to 36 months: Toddlers become increasingly uncomfortable in wet or soiled diapers and begin to become interested in toilet training.
  3 years: Toddlers can build a tower with six or more blocks, turn the pages of a book and control small objects. By 36 months, toddlers are able to draw a circle.