TODDLER DEVELOPMENT

Toddler Motor Abilities

In toddlerhood, fine motor abilities that require the coordination on fingers and thumb are required. Once they master the pincer grasp, toddler can engage in fine motor play: They can also open cabinets, take the tops off household cleaners, or pick up (and usually place in their mouth) small objects such as marbles.

Toddlers walking and running become surer between 18 months and 3 years, whereas their strides vary in length and are less stable in early toddlerhood, in other words they literally “toddler by age 3, their stride length are very consistent, nearly like those of adult”.

They run, jump and climb with greater agility, they begin to incorporate toys and equipment, balls, riding toys, wagons and climber into, they play and use these in more complex ways.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES OF INFANT AND TODDLER

The development is about the way in which children learn to be with others. Children will find it hard to make friends if they have not learned; for example children have their earliest strongest relationships with their parent which is called attachment and appears to be essential for children’s late development. In the 1950’s research showed how important they were. John Bowlby was one of the researcher who believe there was a link between later abilities to form relationships and respect society’s rules and children’s early attachments. He noted that moving from home to when children enter nursery/ school, the separation anxiety which can be tough for children of all ages. It’s important to identify this and find ways of helping them.

CHALLENGES TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN

Time for a child to learn through play. The evidence (Elkind, 2001; Palmer, 2006; Mayall, 2007) is that children do not have enough time to play and learn through play and this is the main way that children learn to socialize and develop social skills and social norms expected of them. The link between social development and emotional development is strong (Bowlby, 2007)

Time for children to talk to peers and adults. The evidence (UNICEF, 2007; Alexander, 2009). Social dialogue is an important way in which children learn about society and enter into discussion that help them to be citizen in society.

Opportunities for children to be independent. Concerns about the physical safety of children have led to them having fewer opportunities to be independent (Palmer, 2006) and learn to be effective adult and citizen.