The toddler years are full of adventure, play, exploration, and learning for your little one. Between the ages of one and three, your toddler will grow from an unsteady walker and babbler into a preschooler who can run and talk about his or her needs. Parents often wonder how their child measures up against other children; here are general guidelines of the motor skills that your toddler should have and when he or she will acquire them. As with all things concerning children, the process of skill acquisition is as unique as the child learning them, so do not be alarmed if your child is lagging slightly behind in any of the following areas.
12 Months Old
Congratulations on reaching your child’s first birthday! During this exciting time, your little one will begin to explore the world through his or her motor skills. A twelve month old practices gross motor skills (which use the larger muscles) and fine motor skills (which require smaller, more refined movement) each day. While it may look like your toddler is playing, he or she is actually learning about how he or she can manipulate the environment using the body.
We talked with the Artisan Childcare Center about this age range, and they added, “At twelve months of age, your child should be able to pull to a standing position, bang two objects together, turn the pages of a book, and sit down without help. Children of this age should also be able to use a pincer grasp (bringing the forefinger and thumb together to grab an object) and should show some interest in walking.” While walking alone may not come until later in the toddler years, your twelve month old should be able to pick up his or her feet in a walking motion when assisted.
12-14 Months Old
As your toddler grows, he or she will begin to test a sense of new found independence. During these months, your child will show interest in the stairs and can be found slowly creeping up and down the stairs. While this is developmentally appropriate, your toddler will need extra supervision while attempting this new skill. He or she should begin to walk alone even if your child’s gait remains unsteady. Young toddlers should also be able to build a tower of two blocks and show interest in throwing and retrieving objects. Your child should be able to drink from a cup though he or she will likely spill the liquid inside.
14-18 Months Old
Toddlers of this age are on the go! He or she should be able to walk well both sideways and backwards as well as run–though there will likely be tumbles with the latter. A toddler of this age loves to climb stairs and furniture, so make sure that your home has been properly baby-proofed. Heavy, untethered furniture can fall on and seriously injure your little one. At this age, your toddler should also be able to scribble with a crayon and should be drinking better from a cup.
18-24 Months Old
At this later stage in toddlerhood, your child will be able to walk up and down the stairs while holding onto a rail and build a five block tower. Toddlers at this age will also refine their spoon control and will have fewer and fewer spills. Many children of this age begin to show an interest in toilet training; a toddler at this age can be taught to use the toilet during the day though he or she will still need to use diapers while sleeping.
24-36 Months Old
During this final year, toddlers become increasingly independent and able to function on their own. As your toddler grows, he or she will have more mobility; both running and walking will become second nature, and he or she can manipulate small objects and puzzles with ease. Most toddlers of this age can even dress themselves.
