Age Range for Toddlers: When Does Toddlerhood Begin and End?

ByUtkarsha Gupta
Updated: 24 Dec 2024, 10:14 am

Toddlerhood is defined by important developmental milestones and behavioural changes that occur between the ages of one and three years. During this period, children improve their physical abilities, vocabulary, and independence while managing emotions. Parents may help their toddlers by encouraging discovery, promoting autonomy, and validating emotions, all while being patient with difficult behaviours.

Pregatips
If there is one thing every parent knows for certain, it is that the newborn stage ends. It may seem that one day you are staring at the baby's wonderful gummy smile and the next you are negotiating how many tales your (now) toddler will hear before sleep. While you're likely wondering where the time went, you may also be wondering what to expect as your baby grows into a toddler.



What age is considered a toddler?

The toddler age group begins at one year old, and although the end of the toddler age range is less certain, it is typically assumed to conclude when a child reaches three. There are no strict upper limits, but we consider toddlers one to three and preschoolers three to five, explains Dr Rani Koppula, General Surgeon, Gleneagles Hospital, Hyderabad.

Toddlerhood is a period of significant developmental milestones and behavioural changes. Here's what to anticipate at each step of the toddler age range:

Toddler age range: 1– 2 years old:

During their first year of toddlerhood, your child grows at a rapid pace. While most parents excitedly anticipate their child's first steps and words, there are several minor but equally important milestones to look forward to between one and two years old.

Milestones: Toddlers begin to develop their fine and gross motor abilities at this age, according to Dr Rani. Toddlers in this age group can usually:

  • Walk and even start to run
  • Stand on tiptoes to readily see concealed items
  • Bend down to pick things up
  • Point to certain items when they're mentioned (such as a bodily component or photographs)
  • Stack three or four bricks
  • Speak using two-word phrases
  • Attempt to utter three or more words other than "mama" and "dada" by 18 months
  • Begin sorting shapes and colours
  • Follow the two-step instructions

Behavioural development: At this age, toddlers begin to better grasp and explore their surroundings. They begin to recognise items and are very aware of your behaviours. They start to imitate behaviours, such as vacuuming, brushing hair, or picking up a phone and pretending to speak, and master simple games like peekaboo.

Between the ages of one and two, toddlers begin to distinguish between themselves and other people. By the age of two, toddlers are interested in their families and other children and want to play with them.

Toddler Age Range: 2-3 years old:

Now that your child is nearing the end of the toddler age range, you may notice an increase in independence and the commencement of the "terrible twos," a period in which toddlers display difficult behaviours as they push boundaries and establish a growing feeling of autonomy.

Milestones: By their third birthday, your child will probably be able to:

  • Walk up and down the steps
  • Stack 6 or more blocks
  • Draw a line on paper and say over 200 words
  • Use two or three sentences in a discussion
  • State their first name and age
  • Engage in more advanced play. For example, they could feed their doll, then rock them and put them to bed.
  • Play with peers
  • Demonstrate problem-solving abilities

Behavioural development: Toddlers become more autonomous as they learn new abilities and acquire confidence. According to experts, children will desire to dress and feed themselves and will most likely repeat the process until they succeed.

Tantrums, as well as possible punching and biting, are common side effects of this increased freedom. This is due in large part to toddlers understanding and feeling more than they can communicate vocally, which may produce dissatisfaction. They are also exploring their new skills, resulting in them testing boundaries.

Parenting tips for toddlers aged 2-3:

Toddlerhood is a critical stage in your child's development. While the terrible twos (which may turn into threes) might be annoying and difficult at times, it's critical to stay calm and teach your child how to recognise and deal with strong emotions. The following are some top ideas that experts feel are most crucial for various toddler years.

  • Encourage their growing interest: Parents may stimulate their children's curiosity by taking them to zoos, child-friendly museums, and parks, reading books together, and playing games. Point things out, ask questions, and allow your child time to react.
  • Enable them to accomplish things on their own: Encourage your toddler's independence by allowing them to make basic decisions and participate actively in age-appropriate activities like feeding and dressing themselves.
  • Validate their sentiments: Toddlers need to feel protected, both physically and emotionally, since they are encountering so many new things for the first time. They should not be embarrassed by their sentiments or behaviour. Instead, affirming your child's emotions shows them that you understand them and fosters an emotional bond.
  • Have patience with them: As difficult as it might be at times, experts encourage parents to remember that their child's behaviour is not personal—it is just them observing the world and attempting to make sense of it.
  • Language and cognitive development: Toddlers at this age start learning item names and recognising letters and numbers, indicating language and cognitive development. They begin to extend their vocabulary by mimicking words and phrases they hear from parents and carers, which improves their cognitive abilities and comprehension of the world around them.
  • Social and emotional development: Toddlers develop social and emotional skills, including recognising and expressing their own emotions and understanding those of others. This development of empathy is critical as they participate in more social interactions and play with their classmates.
  • Sleep patterns and changes: Toddlers' sleep patterns might change as they develop. They may miss one of their daily naps, and having a regular nighttime routine will help them adjust to these changes and receive enough rest.
  • Nutritional needs and eating Habits: Toddlers' nutritional needs and eating habits evolve with time, so it's crucial to offer a diverse range of nutritious meals. To manage picky eating, consider offering different foods regularly and encouraging involvement in meal preparation.
  • Potty training: Potty training readiness may range from 18 to 24 months, but some toddlers may not be ready until they reach the age of three. It is critical to look for signals of preparedness rather than relying entirely on age.
  • Balancing screen time is important: Parents should restrict passive screen exposure and prioritise instructional material, making sure that screen time does not interfere with physical play or interpersonal connections.
  • Monitoring speech delays and developmental concerns is important: If parents are concerned about delays, they should see a paediatrician for an early examination and possible intervention. Early intervention may significantly impact a child's development.
Above all, be patient with yourself! Parents can lose their cool with toddlers—it's a difficult period. If you're feeling overwhelmed, contact your paediatrician for assistance and accept support from a relative. Remember, these are natural emotions.

Medically approved by Dr Rani Koppula, General Surgeon, Gleneagles Hospital, Hyderabad.


FAQs on Age Range for Toddlers: When Does Toddlerhood Begin and End?

  1. At what age does a child stop being a toddler?
    The toddler age group begins at one year old, and although the end of the toddler age range is less certain, it is typically assumed to conclude when a kid reaches three.
  2. What age is appropriate for toilet training?
    Success with potty training depends more on behavioural, developmental, and physical benchmarks than on age. When it comes to potty training, a lot of kids exhibit signs of readiness between the ages of 18 and 24 months. Others may not be prepared until they reach the age of three. There's no hurry.