Toddlers
Physical Development
Growth
Slows after 1st year
Heredity affects height more
Environment-genes influence
weight, but environment
influences it more
After 2 yrs-slower but steadier
1. 2-3” per year
2. 6 lbs per year, till age,11 for girls, 13
for boys
Head=1/4 total
height (adults is
1/10)
Posture becomes
straighter-easier to
walk
After 2, full set of baby teeth
(20 of them)
Large Muscles
Arms & legs
Walking-frustrated, fearful, lighter
before heavier, girls before boys
Arms out-hard to balance with
large head or if distracted
Small Muscles
Hands & fingers
1st year-can hold with
thumb & index finger
By 2 years, some show
hand preference-still
switch a lot till 6-7
Chapter 12
Intellectual Development
Eager & curious
12-18 months-Piaget-learn by
discovering new ways to solve
problems
Exploring-”little scientists”, getting into
everything, repeat actions
Actions involve working toward a goal;
pulling, rolling, shaking objects
18-24 months-
beginning of thought
Think about what
they do before they
do it
They can begin to
figure it out mentally
before testing it out
physically
– For Example: a puzzle
Also show thinking by imitating
– For example: feeding a doll, putting on
make-up
Children also use thinking to reach a goal
– For example: using a step stool
Hiding games, thinking about where an
adult would hide it
They continue to
use their senses
to learn about
shape, size, color,
texture
– (red ball, big dog)
Thinking & Language
Must associate word with object
(milk compared to juice) and must
recall the word
Parentese-high-pitched style of
speaking, face children, shorter
sentences & speak in a sing song
fashion
Spoken language develops at a
faster rate than any other time
Adultsneed to pronounce words
correctly-don’t force children to
repeat a word again & again; stress
Wiring to learn language is very
active
Number of words children know is related to
how much parents & others speak to them
12-18 months-1 Word sentences
1. “Up,” “Mommy,” “Hurt”
2. 19 months-2 or more words
Fastest growth at 30 months
Rate of talking is
influenced by:
1. Hearing
2. Interest in speaking
3. Mental abilities
4. Gender
5. Need to speak
6. An interesting
environment
Social & Emotional Development
Chapter 13
How other’s react to
toddlers, affects how
they see & understand
themselves
Self-esteem-feeling good
about yourself & what
you can do
Drivefor independence: aware of
how they look, what belongs (&
doesn’t) belong to them, what they
can & can not do
More aware of
other’s feelings
toward them
1. This lays the
foundation for pride,
shame, guilt &
jealousy
More aware they can
affect others
1. + affection
2. - defiance
Erikson’s Theory
1st stage 0-1 yr.
TRUST vs MISTRUST
2nd stage 1-3 yrs. AUTONOMY vs SHAME &
DOUBT
Autonomy-feeling of being able to do by
yourself
Toddlers want to be
INDEPENDENT-may
misjudge skills is., break
things or get hurt or not
understand possible
results
Adults need to set limits, but this may
lead some children to become defiant
Consistently criticizing or
overprotecting leads to shame & doubt
To Do:
1. Have safe choices; offer 2
alternatives, and you need to honor
their choice
2. Step in & redirect, before they get
hurt
3. Having more than 1 care giver can
help them with socializing
Emotions
Can’t separate
what’s real from
pretend
1. Emotions caused
by imagination
are just as real
Fears-develop more rapidly
after 2 yrs; know more to fear
1. Act out in play
2. Never tease or push into scary situations
3. Avoid TV if under 2; 2 & older, 2 hrs. or less
Anxiety
1. Separation
anxiety
2. Night fears
Anger
1. Temper tantrums
2. Often appear in 2nd yr.
3. Meant to attract attention, so ignore
them