Learn more about the toddler development stages and what skills to expect at what age.
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Amazing changes happen between the first and second years of childhood as your baby’s nerves and muscles learn to work together and motor skills start to take off! Toddler development happens right before your eyes as your baby gains balance, confidence, and independence. As toddlers’ brains develop, so does their coordination and motor control.
Toddler Development: Gross Motor Milestones
12 to 18 months
At this age, toddlers are able to sit in a variety of positions on the floor and can stand without support. Sometime between 12 and 24 months, your baby will progress from standing all by herself to learning to walk and she may even start to run!
At this age, your child will also begin to explore by climbing and creeping up and down steps and onto furniture and other surfaces. She may enjoy push toys or crawling through a fabric tunnel .
18 to 24 months
Older toddlers become even more adventurous with gross motor exploration as they begin to jump in place with two feet and scoot forward on riding toys
. At this age, kids begin to throw a ball overhand and can kick a ball forward too. By 18 to 24 months, babies are usually able to run well (and quickly!) and can also climb and descend stairs with two feet on each step using a railing.Toddler Development Stages: Fine Motor Milestones
12 to 18 months
The tiny muscles in your baby’s hands start to gain strength and control during this phase. She will start to scribble with a crayon and can put objects into containers. At this age, babies use both hands actively during play activities. They will point at objects to show you what they’re interested in and they begin to feed themselves with their fingers and holding a spoon.
18 to 24 months
Toddlers at this age begin to demonstrate more control over fine motor movements and can build a tower of a few blocks. They can pick up and release small objects with control and can complete fine motor tasks like a shape sorter . At 18 to 24 months, babies may also be able to begin turning the pages of a board book . They grasp a crayon using their whole hand and can begin to imitate simple strokes while drawing.
Want to know which skills and milestones are coming next? Check out developmental milestones for ages 2-3!
Learn more about developmental milestones for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers here!
Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers
There are tons of fun and simple ways to promote toddler milestones and gross motor skills in your child between ages 1 and 2.
Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers
These fine motor activities for toddlers are the perfect way to strengthen fine motor skills, getting little hands and fingers ready for later-developing skills like holding a pencil and completing clothing fasteners.
Sensory Activities for Toddlers
These sensory activities for toddlers are great for helping kids explore the world using all of their senses – the perfect support to the development of toddler milestones!
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