Chapter 9 The Second Year
Age 12-18 Months
Physical Development
Most children begin to walk independently near their 1st birthday; some do not walk until 15 mo of age. Early walking is not associated with advanced development in other domains. Infants initially toddle with a wide-based gait, with the knees bent and the arms flexed at the elbow; the entire torso rotates with each stride; the toes may point in or out, and the feet strike the floor flat. The appearance is that of genu varus (bowleg). Subsequent refinement leads to greater steadiness and energy efficiency. After several months of practice, the center of gravity shifts back and the torso stays more stable, while the knees extend and the arms swing at the sides for balance. The feet are held in better alignment, and the child is able to stop, pivot, and stoop without toppling over (Chapters 664 and 665).
Cognitive Development
Exploration of the environment increases in parallel with improved dexterity (reaching, grasping, releasing) and mobility. Learning follows the precepts of Piaget’s sensory-motor stage (Chapter 6). Toddlers manipulate objects in novel ways to create interesting effects, such as stacking blocks or putting things into a computer disk drive. Playthings are also more likely to be used for their intended purposes (combs for hair, cups for drinking). Imitation of parents and older children is an important mode of learning. Make-believe (symbolic) play centers on the child’s own body (pretending to drink from an empty cup) (Table 9-1; also see Table 8-1).
Table 9-1 EMERGING PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR FROM 1 TO 5 YR OF AGE*
| 15 MO | |
| Motor: | Walks alone; crawls up stairs |
| Adaptive: | Makes tower of 3 cubes; makes a line with crayon; inserts raisin in bottle |
| Language: | Jargon; follows simple commands; may name a familiar object (e.g., ball); responds to his/her name |
| Social: | Indicates some desires or needs by pointing; hugs parents |
| 18 MO | |
| Motor: | Runs stiffly; sits on small chair; walks up stairs with one hand held; explores drawers and wastebaskets |
| Adaptive: | Makes tower of 4 cubes; imitates scribbling; imitates vertical stroke; dumps raisin from bottle |
| Language: | 10 words (average); names pictures; identifies one or more parts of body |
| Social: | Feeds self; seeks help when in trouble; may complain when wet or soiled; kisses parent with pucker |
| 24 MO | |
| Motor: | Runs well, walks up and down stairs, one step at a time; opens doors; climbs on furniture; jumps |
| Adaptive: | Makes tower of 7 cubes (6 at 21 mo); scribbles in circular pattern; imitates horizontal stroke; folds paper once imitatively |
| Language: | Puts 3 words together (subject, verb, object) |
| Social: | Handles spoon well; often tells about immediate experiences; helps to undress; listens to stories when shown pictures |
| 30 MO | |
| Motor: | Goes up stairs alternating feet |
| Adaptive: | Makes tower of 9 cubes; makes vertical and horizontal strokes, but generally will not join them to make cross; imitates circular stroke, forming closed figure |
| Language: | Refers to self by pronoun “I”; knows full name |
| Social: | Helps put things away; pretends in play |
| 36 MO | |
| Motor: | Rides tricycle; stands momentarily on one foot |
| Adaptive: | Makes tower of 10 cubes; imitates construction of “bridge” of 3 cubes; copies circle; imitates cross |
| Language: | Knows age and sex; counts 3 objects correctly; repeats 3 numbers or a sentence of 6 syllables; most of speech intelligible to strangers |
| Social: | Plays simple games (in “parallel” with other children); helps in dressing (unbuttons clothing and puts on shoes); washes hands |
| 48 MO | |
| Motor: | Hops on one foot; throws ball overhand; uses scissors to cut out pictures; climbs well |
| Adaptive: | Copies bridge from model; imitates construction of “gate” of 5 cubes; copies cross and square; draws man with 2 to 4 parts besides head; identifies longer of 2 lines |
| Language: | Counts 4 pennies accurately; tells story |
