Infancy and Toddlerhood

Toddlerhood occurs from birth to age two. Piaget a very influential pioneer in his time
was very enlightening to the study of child development. He echoed the notice that children
within this period of development learn through their senses and motor abilities so they can
understand the world around them. It is in this period of development children learn through
play, and play is essential for their development. Turner (1999) say, Through play, children can
actively construct knowledge about their world; they develop, understanding, and refine their
social skills; they continue to develop their emotional affective selves-self concepts, selfregulation, and self-efficacy (Turner, 1999). In child development a typical child should reach
certain developmental milestones during the infant and toddler growth process in physical,
language, and cognitive development.

Physical Development
Physical development requires one to use their large and small motors. Large motor
ability can be seen in this age group by running, jumping, and climbing. Small motor ability can
be refined as they use their hands and fingers to manipulate and construct different objects.
During the infant and toddler period of develop, typical children should attain certain physical
milestones. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2014) Physically by the

age of two the young child should be able to kick a ball, walk up and down stairs holding on,
and make or copy straight lines and circles (CDC, 2014).

Language Development
Language is important in infancy and toddlerhood, because this how children interact and
understand each other. Language is a course of knowledge and development in young children.
In order for children to be typical in development they should master certain milestones before
the age of two. According to CDC (2014), Language development in toddlerhood for typical
children includes: points to things or pictures when they are named. Children should be able to
follow simple directions (CDC, 2014).

Cognitive Development
Cognitive development in toddlerhood allows young children to use their reasoning
ability to sort shapes and colors, build towers of four or more blocks, and name objects in a
picture book. When children display their ability to build towers with blocks, it causes them to
use their cognitive ability to think how to go about constructing the tower. They should be able

to find object moved while out of sight, and deferred imitation of everyday behaviors in makebelieve play (Berk, 2013, P. 238).
Social-emotional Development
Development
A childs emotions can affect their development cognitively and socially. Socialemotional development is how children control their emotions, learn to self-regulate, and get
along with others. Typical children within this stage of development should be able according to
Berk (2013), display and show empathy towards others, begin to appreciate that others
emotional reactions may differ from ones own, and begin to use language to assist emotional
self-regulation (p. 419).

Moral Reasoning/Self-Regulation Development

Development
Children in this stage of development begin to understand moral reasoning and selfregulation by understanding right from wrong. Berks (2013) say, Toddlers show clear
awareness of caregivers wishes and expectations and can obey simple requests and commands
(p. 514). It is important children in this stage develop a sense of morality, because it affects their
cognitive, social, and emotional development. Moral self-regulation-the ability to monitor ones
own conduct, constantly adjusting it as circumstances present opportunities to violate inner
standards (p. 514). Typical children in infancy and toddlerhood should be able to according to
Berk (2013):

Detect the meaning of others emotional signals.

Show empathy towards others.

Begins to use language to assist with emotional self-regulation (p. 419).

Atypical Development

At this stage in development children is full of energy; however there are certain signs
that atypical children in this stage have trouble acquiring. One of these indicators in development
is following simple instructions or the ability to use a spoon or folk without assistant from an
adult. Children in infancy and toddlerhood development are growing and developing rapidly,
therefore it is important to understand and seek help for atypical children.
Social Factor
Berk (2013) reveals, Researchers do not yet know exactly how toddlers acquire the
various aspects of explicit self-awareness, but sensitive caregiving seems to play a role (p. 449).
Self-awareness is important for children in this stage of development because they are beginning
to understand who they are, self-recognition. Berk say, Self-recognition- identification of the
self as a physically unique being (p.449). Children in this stage of development can recognize
themselves from someone else.

Cultural Factor
What might be normal for one is not always normal for others, each cultural have their
own customs as how they do things. Berks (2013) say, Japanese infants, as well, rarely show
avoidant attachment. Japanese mothers spend much time in close physical contact with their
babies and rarely leave them in others care, so the Strange Situation probably induces greater
stress in them than in infants who experience frequent maternal separations (pg. 432-433).

Family Influence

Parents can foster development in infancy and toddlerhood, by working with their child.
Practice sorting shapes and colors. Allow children to feed themselves and encourage using a
spoon rather than their fingers to eat. Parents can help develop physical development, by playing
kick ball or practice walking up and down stairs without help.

Play-based Strategies
Two play-based strategies that families can use to influence their childrens learning and
development at this developmental stage:

Play with their child with play dough, cookie cutters, and rollers. This activity is
great in developing the fine motor development, social interactions, and cognitive

development. Swartz (2005) say, Play dough it provides valuable hand-on, active
learning experiences and support childrens growth and learning in many
domains (p. 100).

Playing with Legos is another great strategy that parents can use to influence
learning in their children. Help them build short and tall tower and ask the child to
count with you and tell you the colors of the Legos.

Here is a great video to watch to see how children explore through play:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuHXeCYs8Vc#t=160.

Reference
Berk, L. E. (2013). Child development. (9th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Developmental Milestones. (2014, March 27). Retrieved from Center for Disease Control and
Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-9mo.html
Swartz, M. I. (2005, March). Playdough: What's Standard. Retrieved from National Association
for the Education of Young Children:
http://www.naeyc.org/files/tyc/file/TYC_V3N3_Swartz.pdf
The Power of Play-based learning- Child's Play Music. (2011, December). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuHXeCYs8Vc#t=160
Turner, M. (1999). Child-Centered learning and music program. Music Educators Journal, 86(
1), 30-33,51.