Toddler Behavior Checklist

Physical

• Running, jumping and climbing are physical behaviors your toddler should display by the age of three. Many toddlers enjoy running through the yard as fast as they can. Toddlers can use boxes, furniture and other objects to climb and stretch their muscles. These same objects can serve as a jumping platform. Encourage your child to exercise and engage in these behaviors by going to the local playground or setting up an obstacle course in your living room.

Social

• Toddlers are social creatures who love interaction with others. Playgroups are an excellent way to encourage your child to gain social behaviors. Many toddlers have an expanded vocabulary by age three and can communicate effectively with others. Toddlers will continue to engage in parallel play (playing with similar objects next to, but not with, other children) until around school age. Social behaviors, such as talking and playing, can be easily encouraged through everyday conversations in your own home.

Emotional

• Toddlers are beginning to demonstrate budding independence from parents, due to growing emotional intelligence. Toddlers, while still egocentric, are able to start empathizing with other toddlers and understanding how to respond to sadness or anger. Help your child expand on her growing emotional intelligence by explaining emotions, showing her faces of emotional expressions or reading books that demonstrate emotional growth and expression.

Strange

• Toddlers are notorious for weird and strange behaviors. Toddlers have been known to eat dirt, drink bath water, strip naked and have tantrums at inopportune times. While this behavior may be concerning to parents, it is not usually cause for any concern. Try to keep your child from eating or drinking unhealthy objects, but do not make a huge deal if she does (as this will only encourage your child to continue the very behavior to which you are objecting.)