What ages are considered a "toddler" ?

[hilaryisinked]

I never know where to draw the line in infant-toddler-preschooler...is that even the order? What ages do you think fit in these categories?

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[my2sweets]

Newborn 0-3mos
Infant 4-12mos
Toddler 12-36mos
Preschooler 3-5yrs

[danner]

Originally Posted by my2sweets Newborn 0-3mos Infant 4-12mos Toddler 12-36mos Preschooler 3-5yrs

[sweetDD]

Originally Posted by my2sweets Newborn 0-3mos Infant 4-12mos Toddler 12-36mos Preschooler 3-5yrs

I was also confused by the age range so thank's for this,

[escapethevillage]

For me, it's from walking til age two-ish. By two and a half, they are preschoolers.

I get super offended when someone calls a three year old a toddler. I think it's because they are much more than that. By three they can dress themselves, pour their own water, they have amazing self help skills. To me a toddler is someone who is still mastering walking/running.

[hilaryisinked]

That makes sense, thank you!

[hilaryisinked]

Originally Posted by escapethevillage For me, it's from walking til age two-ish. By two and a half, they are preschoolers. I get super offended when someone calls a three year old a toddler. I think it's because they are much more than that. By three they can dress themselves, pour their own water, they have amazing self help skills. To me a toddler is someone who is still mastering walking/running.

That's a good point. I definitely wouldn't call my DD1 a toddler even though she isn't 3 until March.

[Mom2Connor]

Originally Posted by my2sweets Newborn 0-3mos Infant 4-12mos Toddler 12-36mos Preschooler 3-5yrs

This is the range I see too and I agree with it. I definitely do not consider a 2 yr old a preschooler. That would be like calling a 6 month old a toddler to me.

[Layney82]

Originally Posted by escapethevillage For me, it's from walking til age two-ish. By two and a half, they are preschoolers. I get super offended when someone calls a three year old a toddler. I think it's because they are much more than that. By three they can dress themselves, pour their own water, they have amazing self help skills. To me a toddler is someone who is still mastering walking/running.

I think it might be child-dependent, though. My DS will be 3 in February, and still can't pour water, let alone drink out of an open cup without spilling. He still hasn't figured out how to dress himself. He's consistently been about 6 months behind though; he walked at 15 months, didn't really talk until 18 months. Wouldn't give up his bottle until 2. He's perfectly healthy and neuro-typical, he's just taking his time growing up. He's just starting to be a pre-schooler now, whereas lots of other kids hit that level much earlier. I don't think there is a specific cut off age between toddler and preschooler, though in my case, 3 seems to be it.

[mibarra]

Originally Posted by my2sweets Newborn 0-3mos Infant 4-12mos Toddler 12-36mos Preschooler 3-5yrs

This is the standard definition. For example "Early Intervention" covers infants and toddlers (birth to 3) and preschool funding takes over from 3-5 when they go into kindergarten.