Toddlers

12 Months

Cognitive Development

• Explores things in different ways, like shaking, banging, throwing 

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• Finds hidden things easily 

• Looks at the right picture or thing when it’s named 

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• Copies gestures 

• Starts to use things correctly; for example, drinks from a cup, brushes hair 

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• Bangs two things together 

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• Puts things in a container, takes things out of a container 

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• Lets things go without help 

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• Pokes with index (pointer) finger 

• Follows simple directions like “pick up the toy”

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Movement/Physical Development

• Gets to a sitting position without help 

• Pulls up to stand, walks holding on to furniture (“cruising”) 

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• May take a few steps without holding on 

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• May stand alone

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Language/Communication

• Responds to simple spoken requests 

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• Uses simple gestures, like shaking head “no” or waving “bye-bye” 

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• Makes sounds with changes in tone (sounds more like speech) 

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• Says “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!” 

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• Tries to say words you say 

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Social/Emotional

• Is shy or nervous with strangers 

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• Cries when mom or dad leaves 

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• Has favorite things and people  

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• Shows fear in some situations 

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• Hands you a book when he wants to hear a story 

• Repeats sounds or actions to get attention 

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• Puts out arm or leg to help with dressing 

• Plays games such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”

2 years

Cognitive Development

• Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers 

• Begins to sort shapes and colors 

• Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books 

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• Plays simple make-believe games 

• Builds towers of 4 or more blocks 

• Might use one hand more than the other 

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• Follows two-step instructions such as “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.” 

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• Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog 

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Movement/Physical Development

• Stands on tiptoe 

• Kicks a ball 

• Begins to run 

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• Climbs onto and down from furniture without help 

• Walks up and down stairs holding on 

• Throws ball overhand 

• Makes or copies straight lines and circles 

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Language Communication

• Points to things or pictures when they are named 

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• Knows names of familiar people and body parts 

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• Says sentences with 2 to 4 words 

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• Follows simple instructions 

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• Repeats words overheard in conversation 

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• Points to things in a book 

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Social/Emotional

• Copies others, especially adults and older children 

• Gets excited when with other children 

• Shows more and more independence 

• Shows defiant behavior (doing what he has been told not to) 

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• Plays mainly beside other children, but is beginning to include other children, such as in chase games 

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