Cognitive and Physical Development of a Toddler

Birth

Dec 20, 1997

Baby is born

13-15 Months Physical Development

Jan 20, 1999

~Has improved grasping skills
~Cruises along furniture and takes steps while holding onto parents' hands
~May be able to walk a few steps alone
~Needs improvement in manipulation skills
~May try to turn doornobs

13-15 Months Cognitive Development

Jan 20, 1999

~Begins to form concepts
~Notices actions of other children and adults
~Loves to mimic others' actions
~Experiments with actions never tried before
~Has very short memory and almost no forethought
~Discovers ability to make things happen by own actions

16-18 Months Physical Development

Apr 20, 1999

~May be able to walk sideways
~Stands on either foot with support
~Walks fast and runs stiffly
~May show hand preference in all activity
~Likes to grab anything and everything
~Adds hand gestures to spoken language
~Begins to scribble

16-18 Months Cognitive Development

Apr 20, 1999

~Gradually refines concepts
~Is very inquisitive about everything
~Remembers where objects belong
~Begins to figure things out through thought process
~Has short attention span
~Tries to imitate the ways parents use objects

19-21 Months Physical Development

Jul 20, 1999

~Walks sideways and backward
~Runs without falling often
~Walks up and down stairs with help
~Loves to run, jump, and climb
~Holds two objects in hand easily
~Uses one hand more than the other

19-21 Months Cognitive Development

Jul 20, 1999

~Progresses from simple imitation to imaginative play
~Can remember familiar objects without seeing them
~Is interested in tiny thing
~Imitates simple actions on request
~Learns to distinguish different sounds and smells

22-24 Months Physical Development

Oct 20, 1999

~Walks with more coordination and assurance
~Bounces and sways in simple dancing
~Lacks ability to start efficiently or stop quickly while running
~Shows increased coordination and smoother hand and finger movements

22-24 Months Cognitive Development

Oct 20, 1999

~Becomes interested in the outcome of activities rather than just the activities themselves
~Becomes interested in the precise placement of objects
~Is curious about objects in the environment
~May be able to recall what is lost and where it might be
~Follows simple directions
~Able to match familiar objects

24-30 Months Physical Development

Jan 20, 2000

~Improves motor skills as torso lengthens and baby fat begins to disappear
~Enjoys running but is unable to measure sudden stops
~May collide with other people or obstacles
~Can carefully turn pages of book one page at a time
~Likes to take lid off of jars and screw them back on

24-30 Months Cognitive Development

Jan 20, 2000

~Becomes increasingly interested in children's TV shows
~Understands cause and effect in terms of own behavior
~Enjoys playing house
~Remembers sequence of stories and songs
~Can follow two-step commands

30-36 Months Physical Development

Jul 20, 2000

~Likes to be in constant motion
~Enjoys games involving running
~Goes up stairs by alternating feet but goes down one foot at a time
~Eats with a fork
~Walks on tiptoe
~Turns doorknobs with greater force

30-36 Months Cognitive Development

Jul 20, 2000

~Begins to classify objects into general categories
~Recognizes self in photographs
~Uses symbolic representation in make-believe play
~Can remember and follow three-step commands
~Recognizes familiar objects by touch
~Reveals intellectual curiosity in reading books and watching TV

Video

Dec 20, 2000

A compilation of toddlers playing. Copy and paste the link below! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d76gGTdFgD8