Here at Brookshire Learning Center, We love the toddler years. The toddler years are marked by rapid development in motor skills, language, emotional expression, and social interactions. Each milestone reflects a new aspect of growth that helps children gain independence and understand the world around them.
- Walking and Running: Walking is a major milestone in physical development, leading to increased independence and curiosity-driven exploration. Running soon follows, helping toddlers refine coordination and balance.
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- Age Range: 12-18 months for walking; 18-24 months for running
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Activities to Help:
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- Support and Exploration: Encourage walking by letting them explore safe spaces, such as playgrounds or soft areas, where they can build confidence and balance.
- Games: Play simple chase or follow-the-leader games to encourage running and agility.
- Obstacle Course: Set up a soft obstacle course using cushions or small hurdles, giving them chances to practice balance.
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- Building Vocabulary and Using Simple Sentences: By the end of their second year, many toddlers can say up to 50 words and start forming two- to three-word sentences. This milestone signals the growth of expressive language, helping toddlers communicate needs and emotions.
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- Age Range: 12-24 months
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Activities to Help:
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- Talk and Describe: Narrate daily activities, label objects, and ask simple questions to expose toddlers to new words.
- Reading Together: Read books with clear images and simple language. Ask questions about the pictures to encourage language use.
- Encourage Choices: Offer options and let them choose (e.g., “Do you want the blue cup or the red cup?”), helping them practice expressing preferences.
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- Imaginative Play and Pretend Games: Pretend play begins as toddlers use their imagination to mimic real-life scenarios. This play nurtures creativity, cognitive skills, and social understanding.
- Age Range: 18-24 months
Activities to Help:
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- Provide Props: Offer toys like dolls, toy kitchens, or costumes to inspire make-believe play.
- Join in the Fun: Participate in their play, following their lead, whether you’re “cooking” a pretend meal together or “driving” an imaginary car.
- Everyday Scenarios: Turn daily routines into pretend games, like playing “store” while putting away groceries.
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4. Climbing and Fine Motor Skills: By this stage, toddlers often enjoy climbing, stacking, and handling smaller objects. Developing both gross and fine motor skills, these activities enhance their coordination and spatial awareness.
- Age Range: 18-30 months
Activities to Help:
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- Stacking Blocks: Encourage building and stacking blocks, which requires hand- ,…..eye coordination and control.
- Climbing: Offer safe climbing opportunities, such as a toddler-friendly play structure, to improve strength and balance.
- Drawing and Puzzles: Provide crayons and simple puzzles to promote fine motor skills.
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- Learning to Share and Take Turns: Social skills, such as sharing and taking turns, begin to develop as toddlers grow in their understanding of empathy and cooperation. This milestone is a fundamental step toward developing friendships.
- Age Range: 24-36 months
Activities to Help:
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- Practice Sharing: Use everyday situations to teach sharing, such as dividing snacks and taking turns with toys.
- Playdates: Arrange playdates with other toddlers to practice sharing in a supervised setting.
- Role-Playing Games: Role-play scenarios to show sharing, taking turns, and showing empathy toward others.
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- Using Simple Tools and Self-Care Skills: Around this age, toddlers begin to use simple tools like spoons, brushes, or sippy cups independently. Self-care skills help toddlers build autonomy and confidence.
- Age Range: 18-36 months
Activities to Help:
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- Encourage Self-Feeding: Provide safe utensils and encourage self-feeding during mealtime, which helps with hand coordination and independence.
- Brushing Teeth: Introduce simple hygiene habits, such as brushing teeth with guidance.
- Dressing Practice: Let them practice putting on clothes like easy slip-on shoes or jackets to encourage self-sufficiency.
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It’s normal for toddlers to achieve milestones at slightly different times, but consistent encouragement and opportunities for exploration are essential. Providing your child with a safe and stimulating environment can support these key developmental stages. For more in-depth information on toddler development, consider these helpful resources:
Each milestone as it comes, and enjoy every step of your toddler’s journey as they grow in independence, curiosity, and joy!