Toddler Social and Emotional Development
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• Almost totally egocentric
• Likes to noticed; loves an audience
• Lacks inhibitions
• Insists on own way, assertive
• Likes doing things by self
• Independent, has self identity *
• Adapts easily
• Plays by self in playpen
• Laughs loudly at peek-a-boo
• Cries when left alone
• Curious *
• Relates better to adults than children
• Active, eager
• Talks mostly to self
• Usually friendly
• Strong sense of ownership
• Mimics adult behavior *
• Experiences and shows shame *
Toddler Language Development
• Some two-word phrases
• Enjoys vocalizing to self
• Babbles in own jargon
• Uses ‘eh-eh” or “uh-uh” with gestures
• Names closet relatives *
• Repeats adults words *
• Points to communicate needs, wants
• Shakes head “no” to respond *
• Responds to directions to fetch, point
• Obeys verbal requests
• Asks “What’s that?” or “Whassat? *
• Understands simple phrases
• Uses 5 to 50 words
* Key characteristics of cultural awareness or identity.
Toddler Physical & Motor Skills
• Awkward coordination; chubby body
• Tottering stance
• Creeps when in a hurry
• Walks with increasing confidence
• Walks with feet wide apart, arms out, head forward
• Finds it difficult to turn corners
• Goes up and down stairs holding on
• Backs into chair to sit down
• Can squat for long periods of time
• Motor-minded: constant motion
• Loves to pull/push objects
• Runs with stiff, flat gait
• Uses whole-arm movements
• Carry and dump becomes a favorite activity
• Scribbles
• Turns pages two or three at a time
• Zips/unzips large zipper
• Likes holding objects in both hands
Toddler Creative Development
• Responds to mood of music
• Develops ways to move across space
• Freely examines every object
• Sings phrases of nursery rhymes
• Loves to fingerpaint and explore texture
• Stares; takes it all in
• “The age of exploration”
• Makes up nonsense syllables
Toddler Cognitive Development
• Points to objects in a book
• Matches similar objects
• Fits round blocks in round hole
• Loves opposites: up/down, yes/no *
• Imitates simple tasks
• Interest shifts quickly
• Short attention span
• Follows one direction
• Gives up easily,but easily engaged *
• Conclusions are important: closes doors, shuts books
• Thinks with feet; action-oriented
• Builds tower of three or four small blocks
* Key characteristics of cultural awareness or identity.