How Old Is a Toddler?

Your adorable baby may be giggling and babbling one minute, eating mashed peas, kicking their tiny feet, and depending entirely on you the next. You suddenly find yourself dealing with a toddler who is walking, talking, opinionated, independent, ahem. What happened just now?

Your baby grew up in the blink of an eye. You'll need to step up your game to satisfy your child's evolving requirements because they are in a completely new stage of life.

The following are some indicators that your child is no longer a baby.

1. Their first birthday has passed

Some people believe that once your kid turns one, they are automatically advanced to toddlerhood. What comes next for those who only consider age? becoming a preschooler or a child between the ages of 3 and 5.

2. They're in motion

Do you understand the origin of the term "toddlers"? Since they are still learning how to walk, their clumsy movements resemble "toddling".

One of the most obvious signs that your baby has entered toddlerhood, though, is when they begin to literally leap off the couch, down the stairs (add one of these baby gates to your shopping list! ).Out of your arms and onto the playground, where they may now stand alone and explore the world.

Additionally, toddlers will engage in more difficult gross motor activities like leaping climbing, squatting, and ball throwing.

3. The word "no" is used frequently.

Oh, your infant used to gleefully wear whatever you chose, consume whatever you prepared, and travel wherever you desired? Now that you have a toddler with a strong sense of independence, you may bid those days farewell.

Children in this developmental stage like the word "no," and they will never grow tired of saying it directly to your face.

Everything is perfectly normal; as children become aware of their own preferences, they learn that sometimes saying "no" results in them getting more of what they want and less of what they don't. Once more, normal yet bothersome.

4. They're developing friendships

Toddlers still mostly engage in parallel play (e.g., playing side by side rather than fully interactive cooperation). But when your child begins to show preferences for particular classmates and their socialisation abilities begin to blossom, you may start receiving more requests for playdates.

Your youngster might address other kids by name and inquire about their daily activities, such as Benjamin from daycare or Hazel from down the street.

5. Conflict and power disputes now seem normal

It's time for naps, beds, baths, meals, etc. Basically, there is a chance to argue at any "time" of day that your child is supposed to be doing something.Why?

Toddlers lack a lot of control since we tell them what to do, where to go, what to dress and eat, and when to sleep, all of which go against their developing independence.

Toddlers may argue about practically anything and everything, no matter how trivial, in an effort to gain even a tiny bit of authority.

6. They're snoring more soundly

By the time they are 12 months old, the majority of youngsters no longer require a bottle or nocturnal breastfeeding. That suggests that they may actually be sleeping for a single, gloriously long block of time each night (between 8 and 12 hours).

Even though your toddler's independence and curiosity are actively developing, it should be much easier to get uninterrupted sleep at night during the toddler years.

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7. Names are given to everyone and everything

The toddler years are when language development really takes off, with the majority of 1-year-olds adding roughly 50 words to their vocabulary before turning two (and anywhere between 200 and nearly 1,000 words by age 3!).

By the time your child reaches their second birthday, you won't be able to do anything or go anywhere without hearing a never ending stream of descriptions, as contrast to their first birthday when they might only be able to say "Mama," "Daddy," "Papa," and "up."

Favourite toys, meals, and items will all have names. As well as well known people and places, enabling you and your toddler to converse vocally more than ever before.

8. They are imaginative

One of the coolest things to develop in the toddler years is an active imagination.

Your young child may begin:

• Telling you nonsense tales
• Drawing vibrant images
• The dancers are honing their moves

9. They are familiar with the ABCs and 123s

Toddlers learn mostly by memorization, and repetition is typically the quickest path to memorization. Your child can practise letters and numbers in a variety of ways each day:

• Humming tunes
• Number of toys
• Playing interactive games

There is one caution when using screen time to teach letters and numbers. Try watching with your child if you want to get them interested in timeless shows like "Sesame Street." After 18 to 24 months, the AAP suggests limiting "co-viewing" to just one hour per day of high-quality screen time.

10. Their character develops

Baby personalities are certainly present, but they pale in comparison to those of toddlers, who truly begin to show their full selves between the ages of one and three. Is your kid funnier or more serious? Are you more reserved or outgoing? Sporty or creative, impulsive or perceptive?

You may love to read: Parenting Tips and Advice For New Parents

During the toddler years, when children are still developing their sense of self and their notions of what role they want to play in the world, all the subtleties of personality start to come into focus.

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