From 18 months to 3 years of age,
the main focus is independence versus security. Toddlers start seeing
themselves as independent from their mothers. They say “No” as a way to establish
independence and do things themselves. Parents can help build their
children’s self-esteem by offering them choices whenever possible
to allow them to make decisions without defying you.
The children's absorbent minds take everything in through sensory
experiences. They obtain basic knowledge through the senses. Coordination
and muscle development develops quickly. They become interested in
small objects.
At this age, children start to acquire skills in mental imagery
and language. They are very self-oriented and view the world from
their own perspective. Sharing and toilet training are two things
that require practice and attention during this period. A parent’s
verbal praise when a child shares is a great teaching method.
Child Development: 18 Months to 2 Years Old
A child at this developmental stage should be starting to run and
climb. She is able to hold a cup with both hands and drink from it.
Doing things by herself, when she wants to do them, is important
to the child at this stage in child development. Improved dexterity
and growing independence marks this age. She will test you as she
tries to balance her need for security with her desire for independence,
but she will have a hard time making decisions as to what she should
do. Parents should set firm limits but allow her to make her own
choices when possible.
At this stage, the child will lack the self-control necessary to
express anger and frustration in words and may bite, hit, or pull
hair instead. The child should be provided with a variety of physical
play activities to curb aggressive behavior.
Language improves quickly at this age. The child’s vocabulary
grows fast and she can recognize names of familiar people and objects.
She is able to use two to four word sentences and simple phrases
and improve her memory by repeating the words for everything she
sees.
She becomes possessive of things, and “No” is her favorite
word as she tries to become independent. She begins to play make
believe, and will follow you around doing whatever you do in her
efforts to learn how her world works. Positive encouragement will
help her self-esteem.
Child Development: 2 Years Old
The baby is a toddler now, walking and running well, climbing stairs,
and riding a tricycle. She will enjoy the playground where she can
ride and climb. Her energy will put her in danger, so close supervision
is a necessity. She is able to drink from a cup with one hand and
eat finger foods by herself.
Toilet training should begin at this stage and is made easier by
the toddler now wanting to be dry and clean. Not all children are
ready for toilet training at the same stage of development so do
not force it or use negative reinforcement.
The two-year-old will become very protective of her things and will
not share for fear of not getting them back. Sleep problems are common
as she relives fears and anxieties of the daily events. Encourage
her growing independence by not intervening when the child wakes
at night, but let her learn that she can settle back down by herself.
The toddler will understand and test your authority as she learns
to make choices and take control over her world. She likes to be
with children her age but has trouble with the concept of playing
together. Her quest for independence will show itself in doing the
opposite of what she is told. The “terrible twos” are
known for their temper tantrums and violent emotions. She will have
a sense of humor and will play tricks. She will also have a fear
of separation.
The child at this stage begins to speak in short sentences with
an increased vocabulary of 200 to 400 words along with the use of
plurals and verbs. She’ll spend a great deal of time sorting
as a play activity as she begins to understand categories. The toddler
will now enjoy anything with switches, buttons or knobs, and will
enjoy building towers.
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