Toddlers

Toddlers are children between the ages of  1 and 3 years. They continue to grow physically , but the pace slows considerably. During the toddlers years, children learn many new gross- and fine-motor skills. At the beginning of toddler years, toddlers are often just learning how to take a few hesitant steps without support. During infancy, neurons In the brain grow and sprout and branches or pathways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Jthd0F3vpU  ... How toddlers act as they grow .
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT The following are signs of expected physical development in a toddler:
GROSS MOTOR SKILLS (use of large muscles in the legs and arms)
•Stands alone well by 12 months
•Walks well by 12 - 15 months (if the child is not walking by 18 months, he or she should be evaluated by a health care provider)
•Learns to walk backwards and up steps with help at about 16 - 18 months
•Throws a ball overhand and kicks a ball forward at about 18 - 24 months
•Jumps in place by about 24 months
•Rides a tricycle and stands briefly on one foot by about 36 months

FINE MOTOR SKILLS (use of small muscles in hands and fingers)

• Makes tower of three cubes by around 15 months
• Scribbles by 15 - 18 months
• Can use spoon and drink from a cup by 24 months
• Can copy a circle by 36 months

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

• Uses 2 - 3 words (other than Mama or Dada) at 12 - 15 months
• Understands and follows simple commands ("bring to Mommy") at 14 - 16 months
• Names pictures of items and animals at 18 - 24 months
• Points to named body parts at 18 - 24 months
• Begins to say his or her own name at 22 - 24 months
• Combines 2 words at 16 to 24 months -- there is a range of ages at which children are first able to combine words into sentences; if a toddler cannot do so by 24 months, parents should consult their health care provider
• Knows gender and age by 36 months

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

• Indicates some needs by pointing at 12 - 15 months
• Looks for help when in trouble by 18 months
• Helps to undress and put things away by 18 - 24 months
• Listens to stories when shown pictures and can tell about immediate experiences by 24 months
• Can engage in pretend play and simple games by 24 - 36 months

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002010.htm