Developmental Milestones of Toddlers

This is a follow up to our previously written article about the developmental milestones of infants (0-12 months). Now, we move on the the next stage and tell you what to expect once your child reaches 13 months to 24 months. With this guide, you will be able to tell, is he growing up the right way? Or is there something wrong? The developmental milestones of toddlers are as follows:

The difference between infants and toddlers is that the latter will normally  move around more, and they are also more aware of themselves and their surroundings. You will notice that they will be more interested in exploring new objects and people too! At this stage, your child will also show greater independence; begin to show defiant behavior (unfortunately); and imitate the behavior of others, especially adults and older children. Toddlers also should be able to recognize the names of familiar people and objects, form simple phrases and sentences, and follow simple instructions and directions.

• Soon after his or her first birthday, your child will show interest in playing with a ball which is first mastered by throwing, then by kicking at age 2. This is an important milestone, especially in motor skills.
• Once your child’s a confident walker, he or she will discover the joy of dragging or pushing toys along, as well as other objects. And in doing so, he will also improve his coordination, since he will be walking forward while occasionally looking back.
• Toddlers will also begin climbing up on the kitchen table or your desk or the bed for no apparent reason. Note that kids this age are trying to find a balance between risk and challenge. Climbing is an important physical milestone as it will help your child develop the coordination he needs to master skills like walking up steps.
• Running should start at around 18 to 24 months but some kids will definitely fall a lot when learning to run, and some will be more willing to risk it. Encourage him or her.
• Potty training, which should start at 24 to 26 months, is one of the milestones parents look forward to the most. But keep in mind that the age when kids are ready for it varies widely. We will probably be writing something about this topic in a separate article soon!
• Between 2 and 3 years, toddlers will learn how to jump off low structures, and eventually how to jump from a standing position.
• At this age, toddlers may also begin to make the first connections between their own feelings and behavior and those of other people. This is called learning empathy and is the foundation for interacting with others and building friendships.

So these are the skills that you should expect your child will show or master at this age group. As a parent, remember to play a proactive role and encourage your child to perform these skills. If you, by any chance, notice that your child is not exhibiting most of these skills, we suggest that you consult your pediatrician.