Toddler Developmental Milestones Mnemonics | Pediatric Nursing NCLEX Review

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive overview of toddler development, focusing on key milestones and essential care tips for parents. It highlights the importance of dental hygiene, including early dentist visits and avoiding nighttime bottles with juice to prevent decay. The script also addresses picky eating habits and suggests strategies for encouraging healthy eating, such as using fun plates. Additionally, it explores emotional behaviors like ritualism, sibling rivalry, and regression, offering advice on managing stress and maintaining routines. Overall, it equips parents with practical guidance to support their toddler’s growth and well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 Toddlers gain approximately 4-6 pounds per year, reaching about four times their birth weight by age 2.
• 😀 By age 2, toddlers are about half of their adult height, with a growth rate of 2-3 inches per year.
• 😀 At 1-2 years, toddlers start to transition from a baby appearance to looking more like a young child.
• 😀 Toddlers develop both fine and gross motor skills, such as throwing, running, climbing, and using utensils.
• 😀 Cognitive milestones include using simple sentences, and having a vocabulary of hundreds to thousands of words by age 2-3.
• 😀 Temper tantrums are common in toddlers as they assert their autonomy and test boundaries, often as a result of frustration or overstimulation.
• 😀 Toilet training typically begins at 18-24 months, but readiness varies and includes the development of bowel and bladder control.
• 😀 Safety is paramount as toddlers are very mobile and prone to accidents like falls, drowning, and choking, requiring constant supervision.
• 😀 Ritualism is important for toddlers as it provides comfort and security; they thrive on consistency and routine.
• 😀 Regression can occur due to stress or changes in routine, such as the arrival of a sibling or hospitalization, often seen as a return to earlier behaviors like using diapers or refusing to sleep.

Q & A

Why is it important for toddlers to avoid a nighttime bottle, especially with juice?

Nighttime bottles, particularly with juice, can cause dental decay because the sugar in the juice sits on their teeth for an extended period while they sleep, increasing the risk of cavities.

At what age should toddlers have their first dental visit?

Toddlers should visit the dentist by the age of 12 months, which is when their lower incisors typically emerge.

Why can't toddlers brush their teeth by themselves at this age?

Toddlers have not yet developed the fine motor skills necessary to brush their teeth effectively. They need assistance to ensure proper brushing and avoid cavities.

How can parents assess if their toddler's water contains fluoride?

Parents should ask whether their water supply contains fluoride. If not, a fluoride application may be necessary to protect their toddler's developing teeth.

What should parents do if their toddler is a picky eater?

Parents can get creative by offering food on colorful plates or in separate portions (not mixed together). It's also important not to pressure them into trying new foods at this stage.

What types of foods should parents avoid giving toddlers to prevent choking?

Parents should avoid giving toddlers large chunks of meat, stringy vegetables (like celery), hard round candies, and other foods that pose a choking hazard such as hot dogs or popcorn.

Why do toddlers prefer ritualistic behavior, and how can parents support this?

Toddlers prefer rituals because they provide a sense of predictability and comfort. Parents can support this by maintaining consistent routines, which help toddlers feel secure and foster learning.

What impact can the arrival of a new sibling have on a toddler, and how can parents manage it?

The arrival of a new sibling can lead to jealousy, rivalry, and stress for a toddler. Parents can manage this by including the toddler in baby care, maintaining their routines, and ensuring they still receive attention.

What is regression in toddlers, and what can trigger it?

Regression occurs when a toddler reverts to earlier behaviors, like using diapers again or asking for a bottle. It can be triggered by changes in routine, stress, or overwhelming new experiences.

How should parents respond if their toddler shows signs of regression?

Parents should avoid punishing the toddler for regressing. Instead, they should provide comfort, minimize stress, and avoid introducing new skills until the toddler feels secure again.