Young Toddlers (12–18 Months): Exploring the World, One Step at a Time

How Little Scholars Learning Center Nurtures Our Littlest Explorers

At Little Scholars Learning Center, we believe that every day in a toddler’s life is an opportunity for discovery. From 12 to 18 months, children are not just growing — they’re experimenting, testing, and learning about how the world works. Join us as we explore this magical time in development, and how our caring environment supports these little scientists.

1. The “Little Scientist” Stage: What’s Going On in Their Minds

Between 12 and 18 months, young toddlers enter what developmental psychologists call the tertiary circular reaction stage of the sensorimotor period. What does that mean in practice? It means your child is doing more than just repeating actions — they’re experimenting:

• Dropping objects from different heights or in new ways

• Pouring, banging, twisting, turning — just to see what will happen

• Developing cause-and-effect understanding (if I drop this, it will fall)

These “experiments” are how toddlers build understanding. They’re inherently curious, and their trial-and-error play helps them make sense of the world.

2. Milestones to Celebrate: Physical, Cognitive & Language Growth

At Little Scholars, we monitor and celebrate the many small—but powerful—changes happening in each child. Here are some key milestones typical for 12–18 months, based on developmental research:

Physical / Motor Skills

• Walking independently or becoming more confident when walking 

• Climbing, squatting, pushing, or pulling toys

• Beginning scribbling or marking with crayons

Cognitive & Play Skills

• Engaging with objects in more complex ways — stacking rings or blocks, exploring how things work

• Understanding more about “object permanence” — that things still exist even when out of sight

• Testing cause and effect (e.g., putting a toy in a container, emptying it, refilling)

Communication & Social Development

• Using a growing number of words — some toddlers may say 8–10 simple words by 18 months

• Combining gestures (pointing, waving) with words

• Showing signs of understanding “no” or other simple instructions

• Experiencing separation anxiety, which is a normal part of this age as they bond more deeply with caregivers.

3. How Little Scholars Supports These Milestones

At our center, we intentionally design our toddler classroom and activities to support this developmental sweet spot.

Here’s how:

a) A Rich, Sensory-Filled Environment

We provide a mix of teacher-guided and child-led play experiences — from indoor centers like art, puzzles, and blocks, to outdoor manipulatives that encourage gross motor movement. 

b) Circle Time & Music 

Every morning, toddler teachers lead circle time with songs, fingerplays, stories, and dance. These activities build language, rhythm, social connection, and sensory stimulation.

c) Safe Experimentation Zones 

We set up safe spaces where toddlers can experiment freely — pouring, dropping, pushing, and testing boundaries, all under the watchful eye of caring teachers. These “little scientist” moments help them build their understanding of gravity, space, and cause and effect.

d) Responsive Interaction 

Our teachers respond to each toddler individually. When a child babbles, gestures, or says a new word, we mirror, expand, and encourage—supporting both communication development and the bond between teacher and child.

e) Outdoor Play 

Running, climbing, and exploring the outdoor play area aren’t just fun — they build strength, balance, and coordination. Our play structures encourage gross motor milestones typical of this age.

4. Tips for Parents: Supporting Your Toddler at Home

We want to partner with you in your toddler’s growth. Here are some suggestions to continue support at home:

1. Let them explore safely. Create toddler-proof zones where they can experiment — drop toys, pour water, and move objects without constant redirection.

2. Narrate their world. Talk about what they’re doing (“You dropped the spoon — what happened?”), which helps language development.

3. Read together every day. Use touch-and-feel books, point to pictures, name things, and let them turn pages.

4. Repeat and celebrate. Repetition helps toddlers learn. Let them drop the same toy many times — each time is a mini science experiment.

5. Play social games. Peek-a-boo, hide-and-seek, and pretend play support their sense of object permanence and turn-taking.

5. Why This Stage Matters

The experiences toddlers have between 12–18 months lay the foundation for so much of their future learning. Their experiments build early problem-solving skills, their interactions shape their communication, and their movements strengthen their coordination. By nurturing their curiosity and giving them a safe, enriching environment — at Little Scholars and at home — we help them build confidence and a love of learning.

6. Final Thoughts

At Little Scholars Learning Center, we see 12– to 18-month-old toddlers not just as “babies who walk” but as budding little researchers. This is a time of wonder, experimentation, and growth — and we feel privileged to be part of that journey. Through thoughtful, responsive care, we help these small scholars discover that every action, sound, and step matters.