Development

1-year-old

• Is mobile, explores, experiments, learns to walk, climb and run.
• Can say single meaningful words.
• Pushes, pulls, throws and carries things from one place to another.
• A child practises the coordination of various senses and movements when playing.

2-year-old

• Speech development progresses. Vocabulary increases.
• Walk becomes steadier and the child is more alert and can focus better.
• Runs nimbly and can do bunny hops.
• Can play by himself for a while and does not insist on adult company all the time.
• 1- or 2-year-olds like to help their parents and take part in e.g. baking or hanging washing.
• Around 2.5 years old a child can tell when they need to go potty.

3-year-old

• May become wilder and play turn rough.
• Needs protection and control by adults.
• Imagination is vivid and active and a parent should explain the difference between reality and fantasy.
• Songs, rhymes, books and fairy tales are a big part of a child’s life.
• Music encourages the child to be physically active, a child enjoys rhythm and dance moves.
• 2- and 3-year-olds’ thirst for knowledge is endless.
• A 3-year-old is very open and curious.
• An important stage of practising of having a mind of their own.
• A child can control his or her bladder and can wait for a little while to go.

Parents should let their child to take part in the family’s daily chores and they should play with the child and show interest in his or her activities. A child should be allowed to climb, swing, run and jump safely under supervision and be taught how to be careful and act correctly in risky situations. When responding to a child’s questions, answers should be age-appropriate and to the point. A child will ask further questions if the answer was not extensive enough.