In the first years of life, toddlers rapidly develop and acquire new skills. They first learn to walk, then run, go downstairs, speak, try doing things independently, and interact more actively with parents and peers. Between the ages of 1 and 3, children go through several key toddlerhood milestones, though these phases are quite flexible. Some toddlers reach them faster, while others need a little more time. Every child develops at their own pace. However, keeping an eye on toddlerhood milestones is still important for understanding overall development and knowing when to offer extra support, be more patient, or provide gentle encouragement when needed.
Toddlers Development Chart
|
Age |
Physical Development |
Language Development |
Social & Emotional Development |
Cognitive Development |
|
12-18 months |
Starts walking, climbs furniture, throws a ball, pushes and pulls toys. |
Says 5-10 words, uses gestures (waves 'bye-bye'). |
Imitates adults, shows attachment to parents, may fear strangers. |
Explores objects by touching, drops things to see reactions, follows simple commands. |
|
18-24 months |
Runs, walks down stairs with support, opens doors, tries eating with a spoon. |
Uses short phrases (2-3 words), knows 50+ words, understands simple questions. |
Begins parallel play with other children, expresses ownership ('mine!'). |
Solves simple problems (e.g., retrieves a toy using another object), points to body parts. |
|
2-2.5 years |
Climbs up and down stairs independently, jumps, scribbles with crayons. |
Forms simple sentences (3-4 words), knows up to 200 words, uses pronouns ('I', 'you'). |
Two-year-old development includes ability to communicate with other children, show empathy, and be stubborn. |
Uses imagination in play, sorts objects by color or shape, imitates adults. |
|
2.5-3 years |
Physical development of 3-year-olds is noticeable: toddler rides a tricycle, dresses with little help, and has good coordination. |
Uses more complex sentences (4-5 words), and asks many questions ('why?', 'what is this?'). |
Learns to share, plays pretend games, and experiences a range of emotions. |
Finds solutions in familiar situations, understands 'more' and 'less', and recognizes some letters or numbers. |
This toddler development chart is just a general guide. It’s completely normal if your child reaches some milestones a bit earlier or later, as every toddler develops at their own pace. However, if there are significant delays in key areas of development, it’s a good idea to consult a pediatrician, speech therapist, or neuropsychologist, depending on the situation.
How to Support Your Toddler’s Development: Parent Tips
Parents can do more than just track toddlerhood milestones—they can actively help their child grow. Here are a few key approaches:
Support Instead of Pressure
If your toddler struggles with a certain skill while their peers have already mastered it, don’t get upset or scold them. Encouragement and active support work much better than pressure. For example, if a neuropsychologist identifies sensory processing challenges, you can introduce activities like swinging on a Sensory Pod Swing or climbing a Triangle Climber to help your child progress naturally. Not everything will come easily, and that’s okay. Your patience and love during this stage are investments that will bring incredible results.
Learning Through Play
Play is a child’s primary way of learning. Through different types of play, you can support various aspects of development:
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Active games strengthen muscles, improve balance, and enhance motor skills. For example, an Indoor Jungle Gym provides toddlers with safe opportunities to swing, climb rope ladders, and develop grip strength while having fun.
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Quiet activities like reading aloud, sorting objects, solving puzzles, or building towers help improve logic, language, and cognitive skills. Even if you don’t have time for structured play, simply talking to your child and involving them in daily tasks can be beneficial. Try saying: "I’m washing the dishes. Do you want to splash the water in the sink?" or sing nursery rhymes—your toddler will listen, absorb, and eventually start singing along. At first, it may seem like these efforts aren’t making a difference, but one day you’ll hear them repeating a song they’ve heard ten times before!
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Sensory activities aren’t just for babies. Sensory play is essential for toddlers, too. Let them play in the sand, knead dough, sort small objects under supervision, splash in the bathtub, run barefoot on grass, or even jump in puddles. These simple activities have a huge impact on their development. You may not see instant results, but over time, you’ll notice your child mastering new toddlerhood milestones with confidence.
Toddler Age Crises
The most well-known and talked-about phase is the so-called “three-year-old crisis”, marking the transition between early childhood and preschool years. However, toddlerhood milestones come with a few surprises along the way—there are several challenging phases before reaching age three.
Around 18 months: First signs of independence
At about 1.5 years old, toddlers often respond to requests or restrictions with tears and tantrums. They become more persistent in asserting their desires and begin testing parental boundaries (along with the limits of their parents' patience!). This phase is normal, as children start to explore their ability to influence their surroundings.
Two-Year-Old Development: The "I do it myself" stage
Turning two comes with a new challenge—your toddler increasingly wants to do things independently. They enjoy feeling capable of making things happen, and this realization excites them. While it can be frustrating, this stage is actually a great opportunity to nurture their independence.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
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Provide a safe environment where they can explore and try things on their own.
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Give them simple tasks they can manage (e.g., carrying a small bag, helping to put away toys).
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Establish clear and consistent rules that are easy to follow.
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Stick to a predictable routine—this gives toddlers a sense of security and reduces power struggles.
The Three-Year-Old Independence Boom
The development of 3-year-olds is characterized by their growing need for independence and the formation of their own opinions. That’s why, in addition to patience, parents need a few tricks. For example, controlled choice. The child wants to pick their own clothes; parents ask: "Do you want to wear the red sweater or the green one?" The secret is that both options are chosen by the parents and are equally suitable, but the child feels satisfied because their opinion is considered, giving them a sense of control.
Development of 3-Year-Olds: Managing Tantrums
A tantrum is always an emotional outburst caused by exhaustion, overstimulation, or overwhelming emotions. At this age, children don’t yet know how to handle or express their feelings properly. Tantrums are completely normal, and over time, they will become less frequent. But what should you do when a tantrum happens?
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Avoid the instinct to yell or punish. Take a deep breath and accept that your child needs to release their emotions.
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Don’t say “Calm down” or “Stop crying.” This is like pouring a glass of water on an erupting volcano—it won’t work. Instead, stay close, don’t react emotionally, and wait for the intensity to decrease.
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Help your child recognize their emotions. When you notice that the tantrum is losing intensity, try saying: "You're really upset because you wanted to keep playing, but we have to go home." Naming emotions helps toddlers understand what they’re feeling.
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Give them a sense of control. Offer limited choices, such as: "Should we leave now or in five minutes?" The child feels empowered because they made a decision, yet the outcome remains the same.
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Redirect their attention. In public situations (like at a café, supermarket, or crowded place), try shifting their focus: "Let’s find a red car together!" However, distraction alone is not enough—you also need to remove the trigger that caused the tantrum. If your child is hungry, offer a snack. If they’re tired, take them home to rest. If they’re overwhelmed by too many exciting toys in a store, step outside. Addressing the root cause prevents future tantrums.
Toddlerhood Milestones: A Mini “Teenage” Phase
Toddlerhood is often compared to adolescence. Just like teenagers, toddlers are amazed by their growing abilities ("Whose body is this, and what can it do?"). They can be moody, stubborn, and eager for independence. However, this phase is also filled with exciting discoveries, joy, and learning.
This is when parents need to be attentive, patient, and supportive, as toddlers crave guidance and reassurance. When they bombard you with "Why is the sun round?", "How do birds fly and not fall?" and thousands of other questions, remember—they’re not trying to annoy you. They’re genuinely curious about how the world works.
Enjoying the Toddler Years
Soon, your toddler will transition into the preschool years—becoming calmer, more thoughtful, and independent. But try to enjoy these toddlerhood milestones while they last. This phase, despite its challenges, is more magical than difficult.
