Understanding Your Toddler's Behavior and Development

The term “toddler” is generally used for babies between the ages of twelve months and twenty-four months. During this age, a child’s main interest is usually himself. Lots of plastic mirrors and a full-length mirror at his or her eye level are perfect at this time. Toddlers may not share toys easily as they consider their toys to be most valuable possessions. Expose your toddler to other children to help him or her learn the skill of “sharing.”

Kindergarten readiness means a child has the ability to listen, focus, learn and socialize with other children and adults. Help your toddler develop these skills by having your child around other children and adults as well as teaching your child to play alone.

When a toddler learns something new, they want to it over and over again. Completely normal behaviors for a toddler is watching the same program over and over again or doing the same puzzle over and over. Do not want worry that your toddler is exhibiting obsessive-compulsive behavior.

Of special note, however, is a story I know of a little boy who seemed to be absolutely “obsessed” with certain things in his household. Each night when everyone else had gone to bed, this little boy would rise and go to the porch, where everyone kept their shoes in the summertime, and arrange all the shoes in an order that suited him. The family used an old bucket and dipper for drinking water. This little boy also had an obsession with the dipper and how it was positioned in the bucket of water. Each time a family member used the dipper for water; this little boy would rise from wherever he was at the moment, and go to the bucket to re-arrange the dipper to his liking in the bucket. Sad to say, this same boy grew into a man who continued to exhibit obsessions and compulsions and was ultimately diagnosed with an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I suppose the moral to this story is that there are limits, even if the child is a toddler. If your child seems to be excessively doing things over and over and is still performing these rituals by the age of 24 months, then you might want to at least mention this to your family doctor.

If your toddler seems to be afraid around others, don’t give in to this fear. Have your toddler in the company of others more often. He or she will soon learn to enjoy being around others instead of being afraid.

A lot of babies and toddlers love older folks as well. Visit older relatives, friends, or stop by a local nursing home. These visits also provide your baby and/or toddler with valuable lessons of how to treat older adults with honor and respect.

Vocabulary development:

Your toddler should be able to say at least two or three one-syllable words in a row with purpose by the age of 24 months. He or she should start saying things like “My bed,” “My teddy,” etc. You can expand your toddler’s vocabulary by constantly introducing new words. Start out using words like “fork,” “spoon,” “knife,” then progress to “silverware.”

Do not be surprised if your toddler calls all meat “chicken” or all vehicles “cars.” Until about the age of four, toddlers tend to generalize objects.

If your toddler substitutes easy words like “choo-choo” for “train” or “ee-ee” for “monkey,” you might think about arranging a speech-and-hearing test. Most communities offer free early diagnostic and intervention programs.

Remember that your toddler is always listening to what you say and watching what you do. Try to practice the feelings of: “do I want my child talking and behaving as I am at this moment.” You might be surprised to know just how much your examples will mold and shape the personalities of your children. Try to make your examples positive.

Also be careful about calling your child names like “brat” or telling your child that he is “bad.” He or she most likely believes everything you say, so when you use these kinds of names, your toddler may begin to learn that he or she truly is “bad.” Avoid name calling at all stages of development in your children’s lives.

Talk, talk, and talk to your child. Makes a special effort to listen carefully to what your child has to say to you. He or she is usually saying something important. If you ignore your child and refuse to listen, he may begin to feel “unimportant” to you and others around him or her.

Read a new book to your toddler every day at a certain time of the day. Make it a very special time between you and your toddler. These times are so important for your child’s development. It is also another way of saying to your toddler, I care so much about you and think you are so very special, I take time each day just to spend it with you and read a good book. These activities also teach your child to “love to read and to love books.”

These are just some of the many ways in which you can help your baby and/or toddler develop normally and for you to understand the development of your growing child.

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Author: Connie Limon. Visit us at www.babiesandtoddlers1.com About Babies and Toddlers is a collection of articles for your information, education and FREE reprints for your newsletter, website or blog.

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