Somewhere between one and two, walking turns into running, and suddenly you’re the one trying to keep up.
This is a stretch where physical development moves in leaps — a toddler wants to walk, run, jump, and climb, and genuinely loves doing it over and over. That’s not restlessness; it’s a growing brain that needs movement and hands-on exploration to develop properly. Long stretches in front of a screen at this age tend to crowd out exactly the kind of active, physical play this stage calls for.
By this point, a toddler may start noticing things on a screen, even echoing a word or two back. But noticing isn’t the same as learning. Words only really take root through conversation — a back-and-forth where someone answers, reacts, and asks something back. Watching, however engaging it looks, doesn’t give language the same foothold.
People make eye contact when they talk. A toddler who's always looking at a screen gets less practice looking at a face — including yours.
What actually drives language and brain development at this age isn’t flashy or high-tech: it’s a parent talking, a parent’s eyes meeting theirs, touch and warmth. Naming feelings out loud — “that made you happy,” “it’s sad your toy broke” — teaches a toddler what people say and do when someone feels a certain way. That’s the root of empathy, and it only grows through real interaction.
- Plenty of room to move — walking, running, climbing, playing with hands
- Real back-and-forth conversation, even one-sided at first
- A parent's face and voice, more than any screen
After a stretch of active play, toddlers need a quieter moment too — and a picture book is a natural fit. A few minutes together engages eyes, ears, and brain all at once, and builds the bond between you at the same time.
A collection of my own reflections on raising bilingual kids abroad — without the pressure to get it perfect.