18-24 Months: Toddler Discoveries -- Observation Record

How does the toddler explore and learn how things work?

Toddlers seem to be in constant motion as they touch, examine, try things, drop, and pick things up. They are busy learning how things work, and how they don't work.

The toddler might do one or more of the following:

• Experiment with water–pour and fill at the water table or sink.
• Fill and dump–put small things such as clothes pins or large beads into containers, dump them out, then put them back in again.
• Figure it out–push a toy truck forward and backward to see the wheels turn and hear the siren whistle.
• Make sounds–bang a pot cover on the tile floor, on the rug, and then on the tile floor again.
• Turn on the lights–look with wonder from her hand to the overhead bulb that goes on and off as she flips the switch up and down.

In what ways does this toddler explore the things in her world? (Include dates.)

How does the toddler show her increased memory skills?

Toddlers are comfortable when they can relate to routines and know what to expect. Familiarity helps toddlers feel they have some control and helps them understand how the world works.

The toddler might do one or more of the following:

• Repeat what she hears–hum or sing over and over a few words or a short tune she learned from listening to a tape or CD.
• Help out–remember to take her dish over to the sink after she finishes eating.
• Choose a book she knows–run to the shelf to get a favorite book to look at during rest or nap time.
• Want to buckle up–hold up her seat belt to have it fastened after she climbs into her car seat.

How does this toddler show her increasing memory skills? (Include dates.)

How does the toddler use toys and other objects with a purpose?

At this age children want to do most things "By self!" and they show that they expect certain results. They enjoy repeating things they've done before, but they also want to try new ways to make things happen. They keep several ideas in mind, and can carry them out to reach their goals.

The toddler might do one or more of the following:

• Match them up–experiment with matching toys to the toy-shape labels taped on the shelves to show where the toys should be stored.
• Do a puzzle–dump out the pieces of a four-piece puzzle and then put them back together again.
• Deal with cause and effect–hammer pegs into a pounding board, turn it over and pound them back from the other side.
• Sort by color–put all the red pegs in a container and the blue ones in a pile on the table.
• Share her tower–call you over to see how high she piled the unit blocks.

In what ways does this toddler use toys and other things with a purpose? (Include dates.)