Child Development Guide: One to Two Years

Developmental Tasks

To discover and establish a distinct self through continuous exploration of the world, development of communication skills, the experience of responsiveness of others, the use of memory, and the rudiments of self-control.

Indicators Related to Developmental Lag

Excessive adaptability, e.g., withdrawal, passivity, fearfulness; obsessive head banging, finger sucking, rocking; lack of interest in objects, environment, or play; overly rebellious, e.g., excessive temper tantrums, uncontrollable hitting, biting, and hyperventilating, and/or constipation or destructive smearing of feces as an expression of anger.

Note: Although these tasks and indicators may be present during ages 1 and 2, each may be more observable at specific times.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT: One to Two Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Begins to walk, creep up and down stairs, climb on furniture, etc.	Provide large, safe space for exercising arms and legs. Teach child how to get down from furniture, stairs, etc.
Enjoys pushing and pulling things.	Provide push-and-pull toys, which aid in learning balance.
Begins to feed self with a spoon and can hold a cup.	May be messy, but allow the child to feed self sometimes. Fix food that can be easily eaten (use bibs, cloth under high chair). If using chair, make sure it is completely stable.
Can stack two or three blocks. Likes to take things apart. Likes to put things in and take things out of cupboards, mouth, boxes, etc.	Provide toys or games that can be taken apart, stacked, squeezed, pulled, etc.
Takes off pull-on clothing.	Let child try to dress and undress self.
Still cannot control bowels.	Do not try to potty-train.

Physical Development for Six Months to One Year	Physical Development for Two to Three Years
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INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT: One to Two Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Learn through senses.	Provide toys and play games involving different textures, colors, and shapes-pots, pans, boxes, balls, etc.
Is curious, likes to explore; pokes fingers in holes.	Be sure the area is safe. Allow the child to explore.
Can say the names of some common objects.	Talk to the child often. Say the names of objects seen and used. Talk about activities as you bathe and dress him/her.
Use one-word sentences, "No," "Go," "Down," "Bye-bye." Can point to and name common body parts and familiar objects. Can understand simple directions.	Teach names of body parts and familiar objects. Read or recite nursery rhymes.
Begins to enjoy simple songs and rhymes.	Provide rhythmic songs that are repetitive and low in key.

Intellectual Development for Six Months to One Year	Intellectual Development for Two to Three Years
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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: One to Two Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Enjoys interaction with familiar adults. Imitates and copies behavior.	Be sure to do things you want the child to do.
Begins to be demanding, assertive, independent.	Establish clear boundaries necessary to child's safety. Understand that boundaries help the child test limits and divide the world into manageable segments.
Finds mother still very important.	Ensure that a special person provides most of the care.
Waves bye-bye.	Wave back.
Plays alone but does not play well with others the same age.	Make sure an adult is close by during all the child's activities.
Is possessive of own things.	Don't force the child to share. (He/she can learn this later.)

Social Development for Six Months to One Year	Social Development for Two to Three Years
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EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: One to Two Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Needs the warmth, security and attention of a special adult.	A special, caring adult should look after the child.
Is learning trust; needs to know that someone will provide care and meet needs.	Respond to the needs of the child consistently and sensitively.
Sucks thumb, which peaks at around 18 months.	Ignore thumbsucking; calling attention to it will only make it worse.
Has temper tantrums.	Do not give in to a child's demands but to do not "punish," since the child is expressing self the only way he/she knows how. Do not be rigid and demand compliance all the time.
Is generally in a happy mood.	Enjoy and keep up the good work.
But may become angry when others interfere with child's activities.	Accept the child's reaction as normal and healthy, not as an affront to your authority. Modify the environment to reduce the need to interfere in the child's activities.
May become frustrated because of not being able to put wishes into words.	Be patient in trying to interpret/understand the child's wishes.

Emotional Development for Six Months to One Year	Emotional Development for Two to Three Years
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MORAL DEVELOPMENT: One to Two Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Is inwardly sensitive to adult approval and disapproval, despite tantrums and bursts of anger.	Acknowledge the child for behaving in ways that you find pleasing or acceptable; be sensitive, mild-mannered, firm, and consistent when expressing disapproval.

	Moral Development for Two to Three Years
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