Toddlers
1 -2 years old
(Caterpillars)
Toddlers are unique in their needs. They are beginning to walk, talk and develop relationships with those around them. Each child’s level of development may be different, which is why our teachers understand the importance of providing an even balance of nurturing, playtime and learning. The Angels Academy toddlers program is filled with creative learning outlets such as music, stories, and problem solving tools to expand each child’s horizons. Our teachers interact with your child—individually and in group activities—to create a foundation that is critical to success in school, relationships and life.
Milestones
12 Months Motor Skills • Gets into a sitting position without assistance. • Sits well without support. • Pulls self up to stand and walks holding onto furniture. • Crawls forward on belly. • Drinks from a cup with help. • Feeds self finger foods like crackers or cereal. • Places objects into and takes them out of a container. • Uses pincer grasp (thumb and index or forefinger). Cognitive Skills • Searches for an object that he sees fall out of sight. • Responds to simple verbal requests like “no.” • Imitates sounds and gestures that you make. • Responds to music with body motions. • Begins to use objects correctly (cup, comb, listens to receiver if a phone is placed in his hand). • Explores objects in different ways (shaking, dropping, throwing, and banging). Social Skills and Language • Says “dada” and “mama”. • Babbles with inflection in his tone of voice. • Recognizes names of other family members. • Raises arms when he wants to be picked up. • Shows affection to adults that he is familiar with. • Shows apprehension around strangers. • Exhibits separation anxiety when parent leaves. • Raises arms when he wants to be picked up. • Shows affection to adults that he is familiar with. • Shows apprehension around strangers. • Exhibits separation anxiety when parent leaves
18 Months Motor Skills • Walks independently. • Scribbles with crayons. • Turns a page in a book. • Can push, pull, and dump things. • Can carry a stuffed animal or doll. • Builds a tower of 2 blocks. • Can take off socks, mittens, and hats. Cognitive Skills • Follows simple instructions. • Finds objects when hidden. • Identifies a familiar object in a picture book. • Solves problems by trial and error. • Begins to sort by shapes and color (e.g. Puts a round lid on a round pot). Social Skills and Language • Has a vocabulary of about 8-10 words that can be understood. • Uses phrases like “bye-bye”, “hi”, and “please”, when prompted. • Repeats words overheard in conversation. • Makes eye contact when someone is talking to him. • Asks for mother or father specifically. • Brings toys or books to share with parent or caretaker. • Plays alone on the floor with toys. • Competes with other children for toys. • Exhibits separation anxiety when the parent leaves. • Points to items that he wants.
2 Years Motor Skills • Feeds self with a spoon. • Able to drink from a straw. • Walks up stairs with help. • Opens cabinets and drawers. • Bends over to pick things up without falling. • Builds a tower of 3-4 blocks. • Can roll and kick a large ball. • Begins to run. • May show a preference for one hand over the other. • Scribbles spontaneously. Cognitive Skills • Begins make believe play. • Enjoys taking things apart. • Wants to explore her surroundings. • Can and will follow directions. • Can point to 5-6 different body parts when asked. • Enjoys looking at the same books over and over again. • May express interest in potty training. Social Skills and Language • Has a vocabulary that includes several hundred words. • Begins to use 2-3 word sentences. • Learning to take turns with other children but generally plays along side, rather than with other children. • Gets angry and may have temper tantrums. • Possessive of his toys. • Refers to self either by name or by using “me” or “mine”. • Acts shy around strangers. • Likes to imitate parents or caregiver.