Your toddler is still egocentric and tantrums might be taking place often! Try to take it one day at a time, as tantrums are a natural part of the social/emotional development and figuring out how to deal with so many emotions can be overwhelming for toddlers. Be sure to take time to care for yourself, as you will need to respond to these challenging situations while calm and patient. Remember that your major task right now is in helping toddlers navigate their different feelings.

Physical/Motor

• I’m beginning to show handedness: preference for using left/right hand!
• I can use the toilet with some help.
• I throw and try to catch/kick a large ball.
• I can put on shoes (but not tie laces).
• I can dress myself up with support.
• I can walk up steps; alternating feet.
• I can feed myself (with some spilling).

Sensory - Cognitive

• I remember what happened yesterday.
• I know some numbers (but not always in the right order).
• I can look through a book alone.
• I match objects that have the same function (as in putting a cup and plate together).
• I can follow simple rules/one-step commands.
• I answer whether I am a boy or a girl.
• My imagination is still developing and I may need help distinguishing between real and imaginary things. This means I might get scared at some instances. Be around to help me feel safe and secure.

Communication & Speech Development

• use 3-5 word sentences.
• I ask short questions using "who, what, and where."
• I can name at least 10 familiar objects.
• I imitate housework or help with simple tasks.
• I ask (verbally) to use the toilet almost every time.
• I can use about 900 words.
• I have one or two close friends and begin to notices differences and similarities amongst people (difference in race and physical appearance).

Social-Emotional (Play)

• I can talk about feelings and mental states (e.g., remembering).
• I demonstrate some shame when caught in a wrongdoing.
• I try to make others laugh. I play spontaneously with two or three children in a group (closer to 3 years).
• I believe everything centers around me ("If I hide my eyes, no one will see me").
• I anticipate and prepare for daily routines.
• I get overwhelmed as I’m experiencing emotions I can’t yet verbalize. Be sure to help me with this.

Mom, here’s what you can do for me when I’m between 24-36 months old:

• Encourage me to hop and jump.
• Continue to label and acknowledge my feelings.
• Play pretend with me and help me distinguish between what’s real and what’s imaginary. This helps me manage my fears.
• Encourage play dates, but make sure you’re around to help with sharing issues.
• Continue to allow for physical development by practicing advanced physical skills in a safe environment (i.e. a baby gym).
• Introduce new words to build vocabulary.
• Be patient when I ask you “why” questions.
• Encourage logical thinking in my daily routine. Tell me, “we are going for a walk outside and it’s cold; what do we need?”
• Teach me to be sensitive to differences and acknowledge these differences. “Yes, not all people have dark hair.”
• Be a good observer. Often, children play or "act out" what they are feeling or thinking.
• Provide things for me to do on my own (i.e. brush teeth).

Act early

Talk to my doctor if I

• Do not imitate actions or words by the end of my toddler years
• Have unclear speech and do not speak in sentences or understand simple instructions
• Cannot walk up/down stairs
• Do not make eye contact
• Do not play pretend and imaginary games
• Have weak fine motor skills (cannot work simple puzzles or cannot turn knobs and handles)