When do you think the 'toddler' period begins?

When do you think the 'toddler' period begins? I ask this because I was talking to a good friend who's daughter just turned 2. She referred to it as 'the beginning of toddlerhood.' Do you think they become toddlers the moment their mobile or have some other theory?

 

I consider it around 18 months, because that is when my boys really started with the attitudes associated with toddlers and the terrible twos.

 

I chose "other" b/c I think it depends on the child. I think they become toddlers when they start walking or "toddling" around.

 

I chose other too, I think its when they get more mobile and independent. When they start to have opinions on things and interact more freely with the world around them. For DD it was about 12/13 months and DS 14/15 months. I think that 'toddlerhood' and the 'terrible twos' are 2 different things though and all the tantruming, etc. etc. does not define when a baby enters toddlerhood.

 

IIRC "Toddle" means to walk funny, to wobble around. So pretty much as soon as they're mobile, that is the beginning of toddlerhood. I don't think toddlerhood carries until they're in school, maybe until they're walking with no issues and are able to speak properly for the most part, so maybe 3 1/2?

 

QUOTE(aimeethomp @ Mar 19 2009, 11:01 AM) [snapback]1235249[/snapback]
I chose "other" b/c I think it depends on the child. I think they become toddlers when they start walking or "toddling" around.


Same!

 

QUOTE(SMiLeD @ Mar 19 2009, 10:11 AM) [snapback]1235263[/snapback]
I chose other too, I think its when they get more mobile and independent. When they start to have opinions on things and interact more freely with the world around them. For DD it was about 12/13 months and DS 14/15 months. I think that 'toddlerhood' and the 'terrible twos' are 2 different things though and all the tantruming, etc. etc. does not define when a baby enters toddlerhood.

Totally agree!

 

I chose 12 months because after that point, I no longer consider them an infant. DS walked at 12 months and DD around 14 months, but it was around 15 months that I really saw them acting more like toddlers--struggling for independence, interacting with the world around them, curious about everything, etc.

 

QUOTE(JessiePlus2 @ Mar 19 2009, 12:37 PM) [snapback]1235379[/snapback]
I chose 12 months because after that point, I no longer consider them an infant.


That's exactly what my understanding has been too!

 

I chose 1 year because for some reason that was when the tantrums started, getting picky about foods started and it just seemed a lot of the "toddler" behaviors just kind of started...

 

I agree with after the first birthday... they're just not babies anymore. Although 3 seems old for a 'toddler' I think.

 

I chose other because to me 'toddle' means to walk.

 

i'm currently reading happiest toddler on the block (which i've mentioned ad nauseum, i'm sure!) and he begins w/right after the first birtdhay. i'm sure it depends w/all children but since mine were walking then and acting like toddlers, i thought it fit for us!