A toddler will go through such rapid growth in just a span of a few years. Their early development growth will have different aspects such as physical, cognitive, and emotional.It is then important to be aware of the various signs of early development so that you will know what to do to support them and foster their growth.
Physical changes in toddlers will manifest in their motor skills. Toddlers will start to feel comfortable sitting in chairs, attempt to stand and walk while holding on to someone or when they are placed on a walker. They will be begin to move around the house, climb stairs, walk forwards and backwards, handle their food with their fingers or use a spoon and fork.
A toddler’s thinking and learning process will be much more intent driven. For example, a toddler will drop food to feed a dog or ring a bell in order to hear the sound that it makes. Toddlers will also feel a level of anxiety when they get separated from their parents, or other people that they feel attached to. They will also recognize the existence of time as they recall experiences in the past and look forward to the future such as a day out over the weekend. Toddlers will also mirror the actions of the people around them through mimicry.
Expressing emotions and feelings will be apparent in toddlers’ early development. They will show affection through hugs and kisses. They will also begin to recognize their parents as their primary caregivers and start to feel attached to them. Their moods will also change quickly from one moment to another. They will go through a whole spectrum of emotions such as fear, happiness, pride, and anxiety. They will also begin to recognize and understand the feelings of others.
Toddlers will also be more aware of themselves as well as other people. They will take a lot more interest in other children by engaging with them during playtime and share with them food or toys. Toddlers will also have heightened attention when they see adults talk or move around. Toddlers will start to explore the things around them and become more assertive about what they want or need.
Communication skills of toddlers will be composed of gestures combined with simple words or sounds. They will attempt to form simple sentences to express how they feel or what they need. They will start to pick up words and actions from people around them, television shows they watch and what they hear around them.
Children go through a lot of changes during their toddler years. They will have a lot of milestones and will experience a lot of growth during this period. Parents and other adults need to focus on providing the best possible opportunities for development and improvement as well as a positive environment for these children to thrive in.
