Toddler facts for kids

Boy toddler

A toddler is a very young child who is learning many new things! This is the exciting time when kids start to use their hands more, stand up, and take their very first steps. They also begin to learn how to talk and share their thoughts with others. Most children are toilet trained during their toddler years. Even when toddlers can walk, they are often transported in a stroller, buggy, or pushchair when the walk is a long distance or when they're tired.

What is a Toddler?

The word "toddler" usually describes children between the ages of one and three years old. This period is full of amazing growth and discovery. It's a time when babies change into little people who can move around, explore, and start to communicate their needs and ideas.

Learning to Move

One of the biggest milestones for toddlers is learning to walk. At first, they might "toddle," which means taking small, unsteady steps. This is where the name "toddler" comes from! As they practice, their balance gets better, and they become more confident. Soon, they'll be running, jumping, and climbing. This new ability to move freely helps them explore their world in exciting ways.

First Steps and Beyond

• Around 12 to 18 months, many toddlers take their first independent steps.
• By 18 months, most can walk well and might even try to run.
• Between 2 and 3 years old, they learn to jump, kick a ball, and climb stairs with help.
• They also develop fine motor skills, like picking up small objects or stacking blocks.

Talking and Communicating

Toddlers are like sponges when it comes to language. They listen to the words around them and slowly start to understand and use them. Their first words are often simple, like "mama" or "dada," but their vocabulary quickly grows. They learn to put two or three words together to make short sentences, like "want juice" or "go park."

How Toddlers Learn to Talk

• They start by babbling and making different sounds.
• They point to things they want or are interested in.
• They understand more words than they can say at first.
• They learn by imitating adults and other children.
• Reading books and singing songs helps them learn new words.

Playing and Exploring

Play is how toddlers learn about the world. They love to explore everything around them, touching, tasting, and experimenting. They might play alone or alongside other children, even if they aren't playing together yet. Simple toys like blocks, balls, and puzzles help them develop important skills.

Types of Toddler Play

• Sensory Play: Exploring textures, sounds, and smells (like playing with sand or water).
• Imaginative Play: Pretending to be someone else or doing grown-up activities (like cooking or talking on a toy phone).
• Physical Play: Running, climbing, and jumping to develop their muscles and coordination.
• Problem-Solving Play: Figuring out how things work, like fitting shapes into a sorter.

Growing Up

The toddler years are also a time when children learn to be more independent. They might want to feed themselves, dress themselves, or help with simple tasks. They also start to understand rules and routines. This period is important for developing their personality and learning how to interact with others.

Important Developments

• Learning to eat independently with a spoon or fork.
• Starting to show preferences for certain foods or toys.
• Developing a sense of self and expressing their feelings.
• Learning to share and take turns, though this can be tricky at first!
• Understanding simple instructions and following directions.

Images for kids

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  Vincent van Gogh, First Steps, after Millet

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  12-month-old toddler sitting in a bucket

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  A typical one-year-old toddler's body proportions

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  Learning to eat independently

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  Learning to ride a toy car

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  Becoming inquisitive

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  Running and falling

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  Using a spoon