Toddler Age Range: When Does Toddlerhood Start and Stop?

While my three boys are older now, I can still vividly remember how toddlerhood took me by storm. Seemingly overnight, they went from sweet, snuggly babies to rambunctious, unpredictable little people. Their energy seemed endless, their opinions were strong and their tantrums were epic—and every trick in my baby playbook seemed to no longer apply.

But while toddlerhood tested me in many ways, it was also nothing short of incredible to watch my kids hit new milestones, develop their personality and explode with new language.

It’s true that babies seemingly become toddlers overnight—and, technically, they do, since the toddler stage begins when your child turns one. (Wild, right?!)

Ready to find out what’s in store for you and your kiddo? Here, we break down what you need to know about this challenging but amazing era—including the official toddler age range, milestones to expect and more.

Key Takeaways

• What age is a toddler? Toddlerhood is officially defined as starting at one year old and ending when a child turns 3 years old.
• At the toddler age range of one to 2 years old, kids start to walk (and maybe even run), point to things, stack blocks, speak in two-word sentences—and so much more.
• During the toddler age range of 2 to 3 years old, your child will learn how to walk up and down stairs, say over 200 words, start to dress themselves and play with their peers. This is a big age for tantrums too.

What Is Considered a Toddler?

The toddler age range starts at one year old and ends when a child turns 3—aka from 12 months to 36 months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Some experts say that the end of the toddler age is a little less definitive. “There are no strict upper limits, but we consider toddlers one to 3 and preschoolers 3 to 5,” says Dr. Dina DiMaggio, MD, a pediatrician with NYU Langone in New York City and official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Curious where the term “toddler” comes from? It’s been around since the early 19th century and is derived from the verb “toddle,” which means to walk unsteadily in short steps—a pretty accurate description of 1- and 2-year-olds, don’t you think?

Toddlerhood is a phase full of milestones and behavioral developments. “Developmentally, it’s the bridge between babyhood and early childhood,” explains Dr. Wendy Hunter, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego and host of the podcast The Pediatrician Next Door. “It’s characterized by milestones like becoming mobile, social, more independent and opinionated!” Below, learn what you can expect from each stage of the toddler age range.

Toddler Age Range: 1 to 2 Years Old

Your little one develops in leaps and bounds during the first year of toddlerhood. “This is one of the most dramatic developmental times in a person’s entire lifespan,” Dr. Hunter explains. “Their brains are rapidly being wired during this stage, which is why they seem to learn something new every day.” While most parents eagerly await their child’s first steps and words, there are plenty of smaller but still-crucial milestones to look forward to between one and 2 years old.

Milestones

At this age, toddlers begin to hone their fine and gross motor skills, says Dr. Alexis Phillips-Walker, DO, a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas. Toddlers in this age range can usually:

• Walk and even begin to run
• Stoop and squat
• Point to certain things when they’re named (like a body part or pictures)
• Stack blocks
• Kick a ball
• Speak in two-word sentences
• Try to say three or more words besides “mama” and “dada” (usually by 18 months)
• Turn pages in a book
• Play pretend
• Follow simple, one-step directions

Behavioral development

During this toddler age range, little ones begin to better understand and explore the world around them. They start to recognize objects and are keen observers of your actions. “They start to imitate behaviors, such as vacuuming, brushing hair or picking up a phone and pretending to speak, and mastering simple games like peekaboo,” Dr. Phillips-Walker says.

Between the ages of one and 2, toddlers also learn to distinguish between themselves and others, explains psychologist Dr. Dan Peters, PhD, executive director of the Summit Center in California, which specializes in educational and psychological assessments of children. By the age of 2, toddlers become interested in their family members and other kids and are excited to play with them.

This is also an age when toddlers begin to push boundaries and experience big emotions. Typical behavior between one and 2 years old “includes tantrums, clinginess, separation anxiety, throwing food, testing limits and curiosity,” Dr. Hunter says. And as frustrating as they may be, toddler tantrums are developmentally normal and appropriate, she adds.

Real parents on having a 1- to 2-year-old

“Having a 2-year-old daughter is the most beautiful, challenging experience I’ve ever had! Watching your toddler grow from an infant, being so dependent on you, to becoming their own little person is priceless. They’ll give you the hardest time for what feels like forever, then come over to you just to snuggle and give you all the love. They don’t know exactly what they want, but they try their hardest to ensure you know what they do and don’t want. Watching toddlers grow and develop their own personalities is so hard, but it’s the best feeling to know that we’re shaping these little humans to be the best they can be.” — Ashley E., mom of a newly turned 2-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son

“Having an 18-month-old is wildly fun and never a dull moment! He’s always on the go. He also knows what he wants now and can communicate it. He has quickly learned how to say no. He’s also sensitive to more things than he used to be. It’s just so much fun to witness this stage—it’s hard some days, but it’s so, so rewarding.” — Melissa F., mom of an 18-month-old son, 3-year-old son, 7-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter

Toddler Age Range: 2 to 3 Years Old

Now that your child is inching toward the end of the toddler age range, you may start to notice a surge of independence and the onset of the “terrible twos,” a time in which toddlers tend to exhibit challenging behaviors as they test boundaries and assert a burgeoning sense of autonomy.

But this is also an age of great exploration and growth. “Between 2 and 3, toddlers become more imaginative,” Dr. Hunter says. “Language really takes off and toddlers will practice by asking endless questions, and narrating their world.”

Milestones

This is the age when “motor skills become more coordinated,” Dr. Hunter explains. “Kids this age can jump, climb, pedal tricycles and feed themselves.” Toddlers in this age range can also typically:

• Start to walk up and down stairs, often with support
• Jump off the ground with two feet
• Draw a line or circle on paper
• Say more than 200 words
• Use two to three sentences in conversation
• Put on and take off an item of clothing, like a coat
• Follow two-step directions
• Say their first name when asked
• Understand cause and effect better
• Engage in more sophisticated play
• Play alongside peers
• Display early problem-solving skills

Behavioral development

This is the toddler age when little ones become more independent as they gain new skills and confidence. They’ll want to dress and feed themselves and will likely do something over and over until they’re successful at it, Dr. Phillips-Walker says.

Along with this newfound independence often comes an uptick in tantrums and possibly hitting and biting. Dr. Phillips-Walker says this is largely because toddlers understand and feel more than they can verbally express, which can lead to frustration. “They’re also exploring their new skills, resulting in them testing boundaries,” she adds. Expect to hear the word “no” frequently and encounter negotiations, difficulty sharing and newfound fears.

Real parents on having a 2- to 3-year-old

“This is actually my favorite age! It’s so fun to see them transition from baby to kid. I love to see them engage in pretend play—I think it’s so cute and funny. That being said… there’s a clear surge of drama and defiance. She’s learned that some adults will give in to relentless whining, and she definitely tries this tactic for getting what she wants! Bridging the gap between infancy and childhood isn’t easy. Currently, I’d say my biggest challenge is teaching her that a ‘no’ from a grownup definitely means ‘no.’” — Mandy D., mom of a toddler daughter, 7-year-old son and 9-year-old son

“It can be chaotic and amazing. My daughter, Shea, is the youngest of three, and her personality is really starting to shine. One minute she might be playing with her baby dolls, and the next she’s climbing onto the table to start coloring. Parenting a toddler often feels like you need eyes in the back of your head. It requires a great deal of patience and resilience, especially when guiding them through frequent tantrums. As her mom, I’m constantly supporting her growing independence.” — Liza H., mom of a toddler daughter, 6-year-old son and 7-year-old son

“Having a 2-year-old boy after four girls is like living in a tornado and hurricane at all times—but also in the happiest, euphoric state. He talks a lot and his conversations are hilarious. He climbs everything and he’s so dangerous! I know he’s curious and exploring, but it’s hard to keep my patience. He also throws tantrums—like only eating fruit snacks and popsicles—and he thinks he’s the boss of the house. But literally every single moment is a dream come true, and I’m in awe of him all day long.” — Leah D., mom of a 2-year-old son, 8-year-old daughter and 9-year-old daughter (and two grown stepdaughters)

Toddler Age Range Chart

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect from each toddler age range.

Parenting Tips for Raising Toddlers, Ages 1 to 3

Toddlerhood is a crucial time in your little one’s development. While the terrible twos (which can start earlier than 2 and even bleed into 3) can be frustrating and challenging at times, it’s important to stay calm and help your toddler learn how to recognize and cope with big feelings. Below, some tips from experts and parents for surviving and thriving during these trying toddler ages:

• Encourage their expanding curiosity. Visiting zoos, child-friendly museums, going to the park, reading together and playing games are all ways parents can encourage their child’s growing interests. Point things out, ask questions and give your tot time to respond.

• Empower them to do things on their own. During the toddler ages and stages, foster your little one’s independence by letting them make simple choices and take an active role in age-appropriate activities, such as feeding and dressing themselves, Dr. DiMaggio says.

• Validate their emotions. It’s important that toddlers feel safe, both physically and emotionally, Dr. Peters says, as they’re experiencing so many things for the first time. Validating your child’s feelings lets them know you understand them and helps build an even stronger emotional connection. “It’s okay for your child to have the feelings they have, even if you think they’re ridiculous,” says Susan G. Groner, a New York City-based parenting coach and founder of The Parenting Mentor. Dr. Hunter also suggests narrating the emotion to help put words to big feelings.

• Be consistent with your actions and statements. “I tell parents that consistency matters more than perfection,” Dr. Hunter says. “Simple routines, predictable limits, sleep, snacks and transitions all make toddler behavior better because young brains thrive on predictability.”

• Follow through on your words. Toddlers are smart little ones, and will pick up on your weakness. If you eventually cave and say “yes” after multiple “no’s,” they know they can whine and pester you to get what they want. “Don’t be wishy-washy!” Mandy D. says. “If the answer to ‘Can I have ice cream?’ is no, stick to it. I really try to be sure of my answer before giving it, so that my child knows I mean what I say.”

• Feel your own range of emotions too. Children closely observe the adults in their life. Show them that it’s fine not to be happy all the time, and normalize negative emotions. “Share with your child when you’re frustrated, disappointed or a little stressed,” Groner says. This helps them build a vocabulary for their emotions and helps them understand it’s okay to feel those emotions, and that they don’t last forever.

• Set boundaries for inappropriate behavior. It’s also important to set boundaries around how your child reacts to certain things. “It’s okay to have the feeling. It’s not okay to react in a way that may hurt someone or break something,” Groner says.

• Spend special time with them. As a parent, it all goes by too fast. Taking time to enjoy your toddler one-on-one, even for just a few minutes each day, can be beneficial for both of you. “Carve out dedicated ‘special time’ to get on your child’s level and play in a way that they choose,” Mandy D. suggests. “Even just 10 minutes of quality time can really help fill their cup!”

When to Reach Out to Your Pediatrician

If you’re concerned your child isn’t hitting certain physical and developmental milestones in the appropriate toddler age range, reach out to your pediatrician; they can help you determine next steps.

They can also guide you with specific strategies for common behavioral issues. Finally, they’re there for emotional support too. “Sometimes, parents lose their cool with toddlers—it’s a challenging period,” Dr. Phillips-Walker says. “If you’re overwhelmed, ask your pediatrician for help and accept relief from a relative. Remember, these are normal feelings.”

To Sum It Up

Toddlerhood—which officially starts at a child’s first birthday and technically ends by the age of 3—is a wild ride. Your little one will experience major developmental and physical growth, transforming from a baby into a small child right before your eyes. Their personalities begin to develop, their independence grows and they master running, jumping, talking and more. But toddlerhood is also marked by the emergence of strong opinions and big emotions, which often makes this stage challenging for parents. As with everything in childhood, this too shall pass.

How We Developed This Article

The toddler age is both fun and quite unpredictable. To learn what to expect from the topsy-turvy toddler years—and exactly what the toddler age range is—we spoke with three pediatricians, a licensed psychologist and a parenting coach. We also consulted sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics. Finally, we got perspectives from five real moms on their toddler parenting experiences.

After editing, this article was vetted through fact-check and reviewed by our pediatrician medical adviser. Learn more about how we ensure the accuracy of our content through our editorial and medical review process.

About the author: Lynsey Eidell is a freelance writer and a mom who’s raised three boys through toddlerhood—so she knows a thing or two about this wild stage. She’s a graduate of Villanova University and a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut, where she currently lives.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.