toddler
TOD-ler
/ˈtɒdlər/
A young child who is just beginning to walk, typically between one and three years old.
A toddler is distinct from an infant (who cannot walk) and a preschooler (who has developed more coordinated motor and language skills).
The story behind the word. The word toddler is derived from the verb 'toddle,' which first appeared in the 16th century meaning 'to walk with short, unsteady steps.' By the late 18th century, the suffix '-er' was added to create 'toddler,' perfectly capturing the image of a small child wobbling on their feet.
Word relationships
- tot: Tot is an informal, affectionate term for any very small child, whereas toddler specifically denotes the developmental stage of learning to walk.
- infant: Infant refers to a child in the earliest stage of life, usually before they can walk or talk, whereas a toddler is actively mobile.
- adult: An adult is a fully grown, mature human being, representing the opposite end of the age spectrum.
Commonly confused with
- infant: An infant is typically under one year old and immobile, whereas a toddler is one to three years old and walking unsteadily.
Word family
- toddle (verb): To walk with short, unsteady steps like a young child.
Collocations
- toddler years
- toddler tantrums
- active toddler
- toddler playgroup
Example sentences
- "The playground was filled with toddlers tumbling in the sandbox and learning to share their toys." Describing a child's play behavior.
- "Once your baby becomes a toddler, you must secure all heavy furniture to the walls to prevent accidents." Discussing childproofing a home.
Memory hook
Toddlers 'toddle' around, constantly on the verge of toppling over. A toddler toddles and topples.
When not to use
Do not use toddler for a newborn baby or a child who is old enough to attend primary school.
Fun facts
- The term 'toddler' did not become widely used in child development literature until the early 20th century; before then, children of that age were simply called 'infants' or 'babes.'
Explore more words
Infancy, Neonatal, adolescent, trimester, Pediatrics, precocious
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