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The period of toddlerhood covers the 12
to 36 months of life. Within this time, there are two ages and stages
of development:
1. Toddler-Ones (12th through 24th month) are the beginning
walkers with parents hovering close by
2. Toddler-Twos (25th through 36th month) are the beginning
runners and talkers whose physical, linguistic, and mental powers are
the most active of a child's entire life.
Energetic and Inquisitive
Your toddler two at this age is an
energetic "super-snooper," who climbs, searches, and checks everything
within his dominion, as any good scientist would. He now has sufficient
control of his bodily powers to have a degree of confidence in his
efforts to master his physical world. This enables him to start moving
forward in the direction of ultimate autonomy. He requires parental
supervision much of the time so that serious scrapes can be avoided.
For instance, he loves to take things apart, but cannot yet always put
them together again. Whereas last year he was content to look at books
in the company of a parent, now he is apt to "test" the binding and
tear out pictures. He is likely to put nails and hairpins into the
uncovered holes in light sockets in the wall unless they are
child-proofed.
The Toddler-Two is constantly on the move, eager to affect his
environment, interacting with every object in his path and trying to
make it do his bidding. However, his attention span is very short.
Toddler-Twos are obsessed with spatial exploring (wandering, climbing,
balancing on low fences), with picking flowers, throwing pebbles into a
pond, etc. ln a supermarket or department store, they can't resist
hiding behind counters or clothes racks or grabbing candy or toys off
counters. Of course, such behavior upsets parents. Whatever attracts
Toddler-Twos, they will try to touch. They will poke, twist, and drop
anything within reach.
Seeking Independence
In their social relations, Toddler-Twos
sometimes embarrass their parents by pulling back from the children and
adults they already know. They not only declare their independence, but
actively try to prove it by disobeying, being negative, and doing what
they feel like doing. However, they still like to have parents play
with them, chase them, play hide-and-seek, and read and sing to them.
Toddler-Twos soon discover that independence and freedom are possible
only when they observe family rules; that if they disobey these
regulations, there is a force outside themselves that helps them to
refrain from upsetting the freedoms the family would like them to
enjoy. There is also an inner force (known as self-discipline) which
parents strive to establish in their children.
Better Language Acquisition
Analysis of the growth and development of
a toddler-two as against an eighteen-month-olds discloses minimal
differences. On the surface, the former is physically an advanced model
of the latter, but dig a little deeper and you will discover many
developmental differences and advances. The striking increase in
language acquisition also indicates progress in mental capabilities.
Two-year-olds indicate that they are becoming thinking animals. They
ask many questions and talk in short sentences. The tremendous increase
in vocabulary enables them to get their needs fulfilled.
The Toddler-Two does not separate people from things, and freely mixes
inanimate and animate objects in his spoken responses. He will tell a
cloud or wagon to "go away," and will say "hello" to pebbles, trees, or
flowers. He uses a single word, "mommy," to identify all the women he
sees.
Sleep
The toddle-two sleeps some thirteen
hours, and has a nap of between one and two hours, usually in the
afternoon.
Social Behavior
The Toddler-Two has solidified his bond
of trust with his primary caregiver. He needs to be told that he is
"good"; that his parents are proud of him. He needs to be held when
hurt or frightened; to have help when angered; and to be told simply
but firmly what he can and cannot do.
The social contacts of the Toddler-Two are brief and transitory, due in
large measure to his short attention span. This "touch-and-go"
relationship with everyone in his environment extends also to things. A
beloved dolly or stuffed panda will be dropped unceremoniously the
minute a novel object catches the child's eye.
Approaching 3 years old
As your child approaches his third
birthday, there is greater interest in activities outside of the home
as well as a lessening of dependence upon the mother and other family
members. He is now genuinely interested in forming relationships with
his age mates and seeks interaction with them. He appears to be
somewhat better at controlling her emotions, and no longer falls
completely apart when frustrated.
The toddler continues to spend much time exploring and practicing
simple skills on objects in his environment. Language development is
startling at this age. A great deal of looking, listening, and
attending is taking place at all times. The use of two- or three-word
sentences and simple conversations enable the Toddler-Two to enter into
the self-speech of fantasy play with himself as well as with his peers.
With his burgeoning command of speech, he moves from problem solving
with actions (using his hands and eyes on a trial-and-error basis) to
the increasing use of ideas in his mind, thinking things out.
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