The age group of -3 years or toddlers as they are referred to is an age group of children that go through an overall vast change. The toddler will steadily grow in height and weight as they continue to grow. The average toddler weight gain .36 to 2.27 (3 to 5 lb) per year. Length/ height increases by an average of 7.62 cm (3 inches ) per year. ( Carman S.R. K, 209). Adequate nutrition is important as the toddler is weaning off breast milk to regular 3 meals every day. It is imperative that the parents establish and introduce healthy food choices early in life as this will influence their food choices as they grow older in life. An important aspect of the toddler diet is adequate calcium intake. The toddler requires an average intake of 500 mg calcium per day (Carman et al, 209). The GI, GU, neurologic and musculoskeletal system all undergo important changes as the toddler develops. The toddler generally should reach the major developmental milestone of bowel and bladder control by the end of the toddler period. The toddler will also exhibit improved muscle coordination and sphincter control as mentioned before. This physical development is a result
of myelination of the brain and spinal cord. The younger toddler will also have a distinctive rounded pot belly appearance, but by the end of the toddler period the abdominal muscles will increase in strength and their abdomen will appear flatter. In the beginning of the toddler period, the child will walk unsteadily and fall often, but after about 6 months of practice walking, the toddlers gait is smoother and the feet are closer together (Carman et al, 209). The toddlers language is also a developmental milestone that should be progressing rapidly. The vocabulary of the toddler will expand quickly and is highly reflective of the language or languages they have been exposed to. The caregiver or parent should engage in conversation and repetition of words with the toddler while performing daily routines to assist in their language development. The parent should read to the child every day while using motions and different movements as well as asking the toddler questions pertaining to the book they are reading. This is one of the best ways of improving cognitive and language development as well as assisting the child in getting ready to start school.