Developmental milestones for your toddler

A toddler's newly learned skills such as walking, running and climbing may make for a much more adventurous child. At the same time, your child's new awareness of the consequences of independence can result in bouts of separation anxiety.

During these months, developmental milestones vary widely. Unless your child lags in several areas or is more than a few months behind in any one area, there is little need for concern. Keep in mind that a child born prematurely may reach milestones slightly later than a child who was born full-term. By age two, both the premature child and the full-term child will even out developmentally. Beside several delayed milestone achievements, signs that a parent should be concerned might include a toddler who is often irritable, seldom smiles or makes few or no sounds.

By age two, as hand-eye coordination improves, most toddlers enjoy activities such as puzzles, blocks, scribbling and coloring. By age three, language skills develop rapidly. Reciting nursery rhymes, singing songs and reading books are especially appropriate, and exciting, for a child this age.