The skills a toddler develops at different stages

Dr Mini Unnikrishnan | 10-June-2013

By Dr Mini Unnikrishnan

The progressive attainments by a child of skills that involve both mental and muscular activity such as the ability of the infant to sit, crawl, walk, talk, control bladder and bowel functions and solve cognitive problems.Between 12 and 36 months, a toddler acquires autonomy, independence, control of bodily functions and refinement of motor and language skills. The child   likes to explore the environment, strives for self-assertion and personal interaction with others.

Toilet training should begin between 18 and 24 months, when voluntary control of the anal and urethral sphincters is usually achieved. When the child masters some motor skills, is aware of his ability to control the body and can communicate adequately, training will not be a task. Bowel training is to be given before bladder training as the urge to empty the bowel is stronger than the urge to empty the bladder and the need is less frequent and more regular. Night time bladder control may not be achieved until the child is four or five years of age. Behaviour modifications giving rewards for achievements have been found successful with both normal and mentally retarded children.

The milestones

6 weeks - Smiles.

8 weeks - Able to fix his gaze at a bright dangling object 20 cm from his face and moves his

head to follow it.

12 weeks - Looks at own hand and holds head steady.

16 weeks - Turn head to sound. Bring head up in line with trunk.

20 weeks - Reaches out and grasps objects voluntarily.

24 weeks -Roll from front to back at will and follows a rolling ball upto three metres. Reaches out and grasps objects in palms.Turn to the source of sound 45 cm from his ears.

28 weeks - Sits unsupported.

32 weeks- Transfers objects from one hand to the other.

36 weeks - Stands with support. Can hold and chew a biscuit. Reacts more quickly. Locates the sound 90 cm away. Babbles a series of syllables.

40 weeks- Takes a few steps with support. Crawls on hands and knees. Develop a pincer grasp and can pick up a small sweet between index finger and thumb.

44 weeks- Creeps on abdomen on the floor and imitates speech sounds.

1 year     - Says single words with meaning.

13 months-Walks unsupported.

15 months-Holds a cup and drink.

18 months - Builds a tower of three cubes. No longer puts objects in the mouth.

2 years     - Says word sentences. Has a vocabulary of 300 or more words.Use pronouns.

3 years     -Dress himself. Able to ride a tricycle and to feed himself well.

4 years     -Hops and skips on one foot. Catches and throws a ball. Is independent, boasts, shows off.                            

5 years    -Ties shoelaces, cuts with sissors, try to please, interested in facts about the world, gets  along with parents.

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