Child Development

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Children grow, develop and learn throughout their lives from birth and infancy to adulthood. A child's development can be measured through social, physical and cognitive developmental milestones. If children fail to develop properly, they may be unable to reach their full potential. However, parents, healthcare professionals and others can work together as partners to help children grow up healthy and strong.

When your child is between the ages of 1-2, you can expect that he will become more mobile, which coincides with his desire to explore new objects and people. He also will become more aware of himself and his surroundings. During this stage, your toddler will show greater independence, begin to show defiant behavior, recognize himself in pictures or a mirror, and imitate the behavior of others, especially adults and older children. Your toddler will also be able to recognize names of familiar people and objects, form simple phrases and sentences, and follow simple instructions and directions.

It is important for you as a parent to understand that while the above list of developmental milestones represents a typical child, there is a range of what is considered normal development. Some toddlers may accomplish certain tasks or reach a specific developmental milestone sooner or later than others.

If you do have concerns about your toddler's development, however, you should contact your pediatrician. An additional resource, the National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, lists early intervention programs by state.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention