What to expect
At 1-2 years of age, your child is just learning to recognise and manage his feelings. He can get overwhelmed by his new feelings, and might respond to conflict by hitting, biting, screaming or crying. Tiredness and frustration can lead to tantrums too.
Your child’s independence can vary wildly at this stage. One minute she’ll say ‘No!’ to adult suggestions, or insist that she can do something on her own. Then moments later, she might cling to your leg or ask for help with something she’s capable of doing on her own. This is all just part of her development.
Emotional development
Your child will probably show pleasure when familiar adults are nearby. At this age, he’s developed close attachments to you and his other caregivers, and will use these relationships as a secure basis to explore the world around him. For example, he might be happy to dig in the sandpit on his own, but will come back to you from time to time.
Your toddler will probably know her own name, and use the words ‘my’ and ‘me’ often, and with pride – for example, ‘MY mama!’ She might be beginning to show signs of self-consciousness too. For example, after breaking something, she might hide behind a chair and look embarrassed.
At this age, your child is learning to be observant of others’ emotional reactions, and will often check your face to see how you’re feeling about things. If he’s thinking about climbing up a ladder at the playground, for example, he might first look back at you for encouragement or warning.
Your child will be experiencing and noticing a wider range of emotions, including fear, anger, affection, frustration, sadness and defiance.
As your toddler is still learning how to control her emotions, she’ll tend to express and act on her impulses. This can lead to tantrums when she’s tired or frustrated.
With your help, your child can begin to use strategies to control his emotional expressions. For example, you can try to teach him to go and get his teddy bear or another comforting object to help calm him down when he’s upset.
Social development
At this age, your child is becoming more aware of others. She’ll enjoy exploring her world with familiar adults, and will use this play as a basis for establishing relationships. For example, she might love playing peekaboo over and over again with her grandmother.
Your toddler might make simple approaches to familiar children. This can take the form of smiling at other children at the shops or offering a toy or hug to another child at playgroup (even if they don’t return the kindness!).
As your child develops, he’ll show signs of ‘contagious distress’ when others are unhappy. For example, he might start to cry when he sees another child crying.
When conflict occurs with another child or adult, your toddler can act out, physically or emotionally. She’ll usually calm down when an adult helps resolve the conflict.
