God Made Ones and Twos

As babies grow to become one-year-olds, they are following a sequence designed by God. They all follow the same gradual process, but they move through the developmental process at individual rates.

One- and two-year-olds typically have a negative reputation. Their parents and teachers are often told that "this stage will soon pass." By understanding the rapid changes that take place during these two years, parents and teachers can be patient and enjoy these special years.

Physical Growth

Ones and twos continue to be active. They are developing their large muscles by running, climbing, pushing, and pulling. They need space to exercise indoors and outdoors.

As their large muscles develop, their smaller muscles begin to take shape. When they put on their socks, hang a coat on a low rack, feed themselves with their fingers or a spoon, they are exercising small muscles. Whether they are using their large or small muscles, they are very active.

One aspect of physical growth is toilet training. Again, each child has his own timetable for beginning this process. Parents and teachers can help this process by working together to encourage preschoolers. One way is to use the same terms, such as potty.

Here are some physical capabilities for most one- and two-year-olds. Remember that some children develop these later than others, so drawing comparisons is not wise.

When you consider your ones and twos, note the activities that they cannot do. Plan opportunities to practice these difficult skills.

Mental Growth

Ones and twos take curiosity to a new dimension. They are driven to explore their world with their whole bodies. Their creativity begins to emerge as they enhance their experiences with their imagination. They encounter everything from their point of view because they have had limited experiences. Their limited attention span keeps them moving from one activity to the next. They continue to be literal minded as they hear new words. Ones and twos are talking. They love the sounds of words, and they repeat them over and over. When adults verbally label what toddlers see, they begin to make the mental connections between the objects and the word. Interactive listening is important to encourage toddlers to continue to add words to their vocabulary.

Opportunities to enjoy firsthand experiences are key to the mental growth of toddlers. These opportunities need to be both indoors and outdoors. The more senses they use, the more they will learn.

Most toddlers master these mental skills during their second and third years of life (one- and two-year-olds):

Parents and teachers, how can you enhance opportunities to be curious and creative through firsthand experiences? Are you reading books, including the Bible, with toddlers?

As you consider each child, observe the mental skills you see in the child. Note the date and give illustrations.

Social/Emotional Growth

The source of most of the negative reputation of ones and twos falls in their social skills and emotional outbursts. Their social skills do lack perspectives because they're trying to be more and more independent. They desire to do things for themselves. This desire often results in frustration, which is expressed emotionally. Hence, toddlers are exploring their limits.

Toddlers also see events from their individual points of view. Consequently, sharing toys will be difficult. Parents and teachers can help toddlers broaden their perspective by guiding them to take turns with toys. To prevent problems, provide duplicates of toys—two dolls, three balls.

Discipline becomes an important learning avenue during these two years. The goal is to guide a child to control himself. A toddler cannot put all of his emotions into words, so he may hit or bite another child in order to express himself. With consistency, a child can come to understand what is acceptable behavior and what is unacceptable. For more information on discipline, see the article in this resource, "Discipline and Behavior Issues."

Toddlers continue to be as sensitive as they were as babies. They should never be left without a parent's saying, "Good-bye, I'll be back soon." In addition, toddlers are slow and tend to dawdle. Parents and teachers should avoid hurrying them by saying, "Hurry up or I will leave you." Such threats are terrifying to toddlers.

Note the following social and emotional abilities and teaching implications for one- and two-year-olds:

Parents and teachers, what is your honest attitude about toddlers? Your positive attitude makes a significant difference for the toddlers.

Consider each child socially and emotionally. Note the vast differences in development.

Spiritual Growth

Ones and twos continue to be very literal minded. As they are developing their concepts of church, the Bible, God and Jesus, remember to avoid saying, "God's house" or God's Book." By using concrete terms such as "church" and "Bible," you are helping them develop strong spiritual foundational concepts on which they will build over a lifetime.

Ones and twos are developing their skills and making choices. The practice they have in making choices among toys, books, and activities prepares them for being able to make spiritual choices.

In addition, they are beginning to learn what is right and what is wrong. For example, when teachers consistently stop a child from biting another child, he is learning that biting is wrong. These early experiences help him to begin to understand what is acceptable and what is not acceptable in God's world.

Spiritually, most one- and two-year-olds can do the following:

Parents, as you ride in the car with your child, push the stroller, shop at the grocery store, and give your child a bath, talk about God and Jesus. Say, "Jesus loves Alex"; "God made Anna"; "God made the birds."

Teachers, permeate every session with "Jesus loves Anna" and "God made Sam" phrases.

Parents and teachers, as you consider ones and twos, note progress in trusting people.