Chapter 26 Growth and Development of
the Toddler
Physical Growth - correct answer-Toddler's height and weight continue to increase steadily.
The increase occurs at a slower rate compared to infancy
Gains in height and weight tend to occur in spurts
Weight gain is 3 to 5 pounds per year and length/height increases by an average of 3 inches
per year
Anterior fontanel should be closed by the time the child is 18 months old and head size
becomes more proportional to the rest of the body near the age of three
Organ System Maturation - correct answer-Neurologic - myelination of the brain and spinal
cord continues to progress and is complete around 24 months of age
Respiratory - trachea and lower airway continues to grow but remain small compared with
the adult. Eustachian tubes are relatively short and straight
Cardiovascular - the heart rate decreases and blood pressure increases
OSM continued - correct answer-GI - the stomach continues to increase in size allowing the
toddler to consume three regular meals per day. Stool passage decreases in frequency to
one or more per day. Bowel control is generally achieved by the end of the toddler period.
GU - bladder and kidney function reach adult levels by 16 to 24 months of age and bladder
capacity increases allowing the toddler to retain urine for increased periods of time. Urine
output should be about one ml/kg/hr.
Musculoskeletal - bones increase in length and the muscles mature and become stronger.
The abdominal muscles are weak in early toddlerhood resulting in a pot bellied appearance.
Psychosocial Development - correct answer-Erikson-Autonomy vs. shame & doubt
Time for exerting independence
Since the toddler developed a sense of trust in infancy they are ready to give up
dependence and to assert their own sense of control and autonomy
May fluctuate between periods of being happy to periods of crying and screaming
The toddler's favorite response is no and will often use it when they mean yes it is an
attempt to assert their independence
Cognitive Development - correct answer-Piaget-toddlers move through the last two
substages of the first stage of the cognitive development, the sensorimotor stage, between
12 and 24 months of age
Toddler will experiment with a behavior to see what happens
By age 2 toddlers are capable of using symbols to allow for imitation
They like to imitate household tasks that they observe a parent doing
Preoperational stage occurs between children ages two and seven during this stage toddlers
begin to become more sophisticated with symbolic thoughts. Objects begin to have
characteristics that make them unique from one another
Animism-human feelings and characteristics attributed to objects
, Motor Development - correct answer-Walking progresses to running, climbing and jumping
Pushing or pulling a toy, throwing a ball and riding a tricycle is accomplished in toddlerhood
Ability to manage utensils, hold a crayon, string a bead and use a computer occurs
Development of eye hand coordination is necessary for the refinement of fine motor skills
Allows toddler to explore and learn more about his or her environment. As they master a
new task they have more confidence to conquer the next challenge
Motor Skill Development - correct answer-Walks independently - 12-15 months
Climbs stairs with assistance, pulls toys while walking - 18 months
Runs, kicks ball, can stand on tiptoe, climbs onto and off of furniture - 24 months
Climbs well, pedals tricycle, runs easily, walks up stairs using alternate feet - 36 months
Sensory Development - correct answer-Examine new items by feeling them, looking at them,
shaking them to hear what sound they make, smelling them and placing them in their
mouths
Vision continues to progress but depth perception also continues to mature
Hearing should be at the adult level
The sense of smell continues to mature and toddlers may comment if they do not care for a
scent
Taste discrimination is not completely developed they may exhibit preferences for certain
flavors of food
Lack of complete taste discrimination places the toddler at risk for accidental ingestion
Communication and Language Development - correct answer-Language development
occurs rapidly during the toddler years the child's age and social interactions and types of
language to which they are exposed influence language development
Receptive language development which is the ability to understand what is being said or
asked is typically far more advanced than expressive language which is the ability to
communicate one's desires and feelings
Can follow commands sooner then they can actually use the words themselves
Begins to use short sentences and will progress to a vocabulary of 50 words by two years of
age
Echolalia-repetition of words and phrases without the understanding usually occurs when
toddlers are younger than 30 months of age
Why and what questions dominate the older toddlers language and telegraphic speech is
common and refers to speech that contains only the essential words to get the point across,
Example: "Want cookie"
Emotional and Social Development - correct answer-Separation and individuation - seeing
themselves separate from the parent or primary caregiver. They form a sense of self and are
learning to exert control over their environment
Toddlers initially rely on the parents communication signals in order to initiate appropriate
behavior or inhibit undesirable behavior
Displays egocentrism which is a focus on self, the need for control results in emotionally
lability
Power struggles often occur in this age group and is important for parents and caregivers to
develop the rituals and routines that will provide stability and security for the toddler
Many toddlers rely on a security item to comfort themselves in stressful situations
the Toddler
Physical Growth - correct answer-Toddler's height and weight continue to increase steadily.
The increase occurs at a slower rate compared to infancy
Gains in height and weight tend to occur in spurts
Weight gain is 3 to 5 pounds per year and length/height increases by an average of 3 inches
per year
Anterior fontanel should be closed by the time the child is 18 months old and head size
becomes more proportional to the rest of the body near the age of three
Organ System Maturation - correct answer-Neurologic - myelination of the brain and spinal
cord continues to progress and is complete around 24 months of age
Respiratory - trachea and lower airway continues to grow but remain small compared with
the adult. Eustachian tubes are relatively short and straight
Cardiovascular - the heart rate decreases and blood pressure increases
OSM continued - correct answer-GI - the stomach continues to increase in size allowing the
toddler to consume three regular meals per day. Stool passage decreases in frequency to
one or more per day. Bowel control is generally achieved by the end of the toddler period.
GU - bladder and kidney function reach adult levels by 16 to 24 months of age and bladder
capacity increases allowing the toddler to retain urine for increased periods of time. Urine
output should be about one ml/kg/hr.
Musculoskeletal - bones increase in length and the muscles mature and become stronger.
The abdominal muscles are weak in early toddlerhood resulting in a pot bellied appearance.
Psychosocial Development - correct answer-Erikson-Autonomy vs. shame & doubt
Time for exerting independence
Since the toddler developed a sense of trust in infancy they are ready to give up
dependence and to assert their own sense of control and autonomy
May fluctuate between periods of being happy to periods of crying and screaming
The toddler's favorite response is no and will often use it when they mean yes it is an
attempt to assert their independence
Cognitive Development - correct answer-Piaget-toddlers move through the last two
substages of the first stage of the cognitive development, the sensorimotor stage, between
12 and 24 months of age
Toddler will experiment with a behavior to see what happens
By age 2 toddlers are capable of using symbols to allow for imitation
They like to imitate household tasks that they observe a parent doing
Preoperational stage occurs between children ages two and seven during this stage toddlers
begin to become more sophisticated with symbolic thoughts. Objects begin to have
characteristics that make them unique from one another
Animism-human feelings and characteristics attributed to objects
, Motor Development - correct answer-Walking progresses to running, climbing and jumping
Pushing or pulling a toy, throwing a ball and riding a tricycle is accomplished in toddlerhood
Ability to manage utensils, hold a crayon, string a bead and use a computer occurs
Development of eye hand coordination is necessary for the refinement of fine motor skills
Allows toddler to explore and learn more about his or her environment. As they master a
new task they have more confidence to conquer the next challenge
Motor Skill Development - correct answer-Walks independently - 12-15 months
Climbs stairs with assistance, pulls toys while walking - 18 months
Runs, kicks ball, can stand on tiptoe, climbs onto and off of furniture - 24 months
Climbs well, pedals tricycle, runs easily, walks up stairs using alternate feet - 36 months
Sensory Development - correct answer-Examine new items by feeling them, looking at them,
shaking them to hear what sound they make, smelling them and placing them in their
mouths
Vision continues to progress but depth perception also continues to mature
Hearing should be at the adult level
The sense of smell continues to mature and toddlers may comment if they do not care for a
scent
Taste discrimination is not completely developed they may exhibit preferences for certain
flavors of food
Lack of complete taste discrimination places the toddler at risk for accidental ingestion
Communication and Language Development - correct answer-Language development
occurs rapidly during the toddler years the child's age and social interactions and types of
language to which they are exposed influence language development
Receptive language development which is the ability to understand what is being said or
asked is typically far more advanced than expressive language which is the ability to
communicate one's desires and feelings
Can follow commands sooner then they can actually use the words themselves
Begins to use short sentences and will progress to a vocabulary of 50 words by two years of
age
Echolalia-repetition of words and phrases without the understanding usually occurs when
toddlers are younger than 30 months of age
Why and what questions dominate the older toddlers language and telegraphic speech is
common and refers to speech that contains only the essential words to get the point across,
Example: "Want cookie"
Emotional and Social Development - correct answer-Separation and individuation - seeing
themselves separate from the parent or primary caregiver. They form a sense of self and are
learning to exert control over their environment
Toddlers initially rely on the parents communication signals in order to initiate appropriate
behavior or inhibit undesirable behavior
Displays egocentrism which is a focus on self, the need for control results in emotionally
lability
Power struggles often occur in this age group and is important for parents and caregivers to
develop the rituals and routines that will provide stability and security for the toddler
Many toddlers rely on a security item to comfort themselves in stressful situations
