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...