TODDLER DEVELOPMENT
FACT SHEET ON TODDLER DEVELOPMENT: The first year of a child's development often ends with his or her first step. It is around this time that the child enters their toddler years ( word origin: toddle(verb):to walk with short and wobbly steps). Toddlerhood is a time of transition. Toddlers are working on two major goals at the same time: 1) maintaining attachment to parents or significant caregivers, and 2) exploring the world and establishing a sense of self sometimes the goals are in conflict. physical development : * weight is now approximately three times the child's birth weight. * respiration rate varies with emotional state and activity. * rate of growth slows. * head size increases slowly; grows approximately 1.3 centimeters every six months. * chest circumference is larger than head circumference. * legs may still appear bowed. * toddler will begin to lose the " baby fat" once they begin walking. * body shape changes; ta