Characteristics Of Toddlerhood

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The growth and development of a human is a methodical, predictable process that begins at conception and continues until death (Davey, Galway, & Thompson, 2013, p.375). Toddlerhood is defined between the ages of 12 and 36 months. Within in this period, the independence of the individual is increasing as they become aware of their abilities (Davey, Galway, & Thompson, 2013, p.376). This essay will describe the physical, cognitive and psychosocial characteristics of developing toddlers and discuss the health behaviours of sleep and nutrition in relation to this lifespan stage. The developmental theories of Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson will be discussed with regards to the cognitive and psychosocial characteristics of toddlerhood.
Toddlerhood …show more content…

Nutrition during toddlerhood is important as eating patterns are established (Santrock, 2014, p.227). Therefore, it is important for a caregiver to provide a toddler with balanced meals and healthy snack options (Ministry of Health, 2008). Toddlers require foods that allow muscle development and mineralisation of bones (Polan & Taylor, Toddlerhood, 2010, p.105). The nutritional requirements of toddlers should be met by providing solid foods from the four food groups (Ministry of Health, 2008). As a result, a healthy toddler requires a balanced daily intake of fruit, vegetables, dairy products, proteins and grains (Davey, Galway, & Thompson, 2013, p.399). Additionally, providing plenty of fluids for the toddler is equally as important in order to prevent dehydration (Ministry of Health, 2008). Toddlers tend to imitate the food options of their caregivers. Hence, it is important that caregivers promote healthy eating habits (Polan & Taylor, Toddlerhood, 2010, p.105). Ritualistic behaviour may be associated with mealtimes as toddlers tend to like consistency and familiar environments. Mealtimes should bring family together and stimulate socialisation, promoting the toddlers sense of autonomy (Polan & Taylor, Toddlerhood, 2010, p.106). Food safety should be maintained, avoiding harming the health and development of the toddler (Ministry of Health, …show more content…

Therefore, toddlerhood is a period of excessive cognitive development. Jean Piaget formed a theory, highlighting four stages of cognitive development from birth to adulthood (Pound & Hughes, 2012). Toddlerhood falls into two of these stages, sensorimotor intelligence and preoperational thought. Sensorimotor intelligence is the first stage of Piaget’s theory and spans from birth to 24 months (Nagy, 2015, p.369). Piaget describes that children within the sensorimotor intelligence stage use their senses and motor abilities to understand the world around them (Gormly, 1997, p.168). Toddlers begin to understand that an object still exists even when it is out of sight (Berger, 2011, p. 45). Towards the end, the child develops a thought before action process, moving from random acts to making choices with some thought process behind it (Nagy, 2015, p.369). The transition to the preoperational stage presents an increase in representational activity. This stage spans from two to seven years of age (Nagy, 2015, p.369). During this stage, children learn to think with the use of symbols and represent the world with words, images and drawings (Santrock, 2014, p.229). The cognitive world of a toddler within the preoperational stage, is controlled by egocentrism causing them to only view the world from their perspective (Berger, 2011, p.45). Magic

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