During this stage, children aged 18-36 months go through significant growth phases in physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development. They show significant progress in their motor skills (Veldman et al., 2019). They can walk, run, climb, kick, and jump easily. Children develop better hand-eye coordination and also show their first attempts to balance and avoid obstacles. Toddlers show their growing independence by opening doors, climbing stairs, and handling various objects.
Their increased autonomy exposes them to a higher risk of injury (Myhre et al., 2012). Therefore, parents and caregivers should ensure that the home is childproof by securing cabinets, covering electrical outlets, using safety gates, and installing window guards. Small objects, poisoning, and choking hazards should be removed from their reach. Although safety measures should always be in place, caregivers should also into account the child’s need for autonomy by providing age-appropriate stimulation and experience. (Hughes et al., 2018).
During this time, toddlers form strong attachments to their primary caregivers and may become distressed when separated from them (Poopal, 2021). They begin to exhibit feelings of frustration, guilt, and remorse (Drummond et al., 2017). They may have trouble sharing toys without protest and demand adult attention. Their fears become more real to them, and they begin to understand the difference between fantasy and reality (Woolley & Ghossainy, 2017).
The immature development of the prefrontal cortex in the first years of life refers to the gradual and continuous maturation of the frontal lobe of the brain during infancy and early childhood. The prefrontal cortex controls higher-level cognitive functions, such as decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. During the first few years of life, the prefrontal cortex still develops, resulting in limited self-regulatory and reasoning abilities. This immaturity can lead to impulsive behavior, difficulty managing emotions, and challenges with attention and planning. With age, the prefrontal cortex continues to develop so that executive functions improve and cognitive abilities become more mature.
The stages of child development refer to the distinct phases of growth and maturation that children go through from infancy through adolescence. These stages include physical, social, emotional, and intellectual changes that occur at specific stages. In the first years, children develop their motor skills, social interactions, emotional awareness, and cognitive abilities. As they grow, they become more independent, form deeper relationships, explore their identities, and expand their knowledge and thinking skills. The stages of child development illustrate the continuous and dynamic nature of growth, with each stage building on the previous one.
Tantrums refer to intense, emotional outbursts that typically occur in young children, often during the preschool years. These episodes are characterized by uncontrollable expressions of frustration, anger, or distress, accompanied by behaviors such as crying, screaming, kicking, or hitting. Tantrums can occur when children have difficulty communicating their needs, wants, or feelings effectively. They can be triggered by factors such as fatigue, hunger, sensory overload, or an inability to cope with frustration. Tantrums are a normal part of child development but can be distressing for both the child and the caregiver.
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