What Age is a Toddler? Child Development Stages From Infant to Adolescent
Posted: Monday, March 08, 2010
by Mogama
http://www.mogama.info
One afternoon, I looked closely at my later-comer daughter, who celebrated her 5th birthday on October 20, 2009. She's been telling me to remove her booster car seat from the vehicle, so she can sit on the main seat like her teenage siblings.
I told Favor, "You're still a toddler... How much do you weigh?"
Then I caught myself? "Is Favor a toddler? If she's not, what is she now?"
With that I typed into a search engine, "What age is a toddler?", and the result returned websites belonging to the CDC, among others. From the various descriptions of the developmental stages of childhood, I conclude the following not-so-scientific five age-group assignments for a person, from infancy to just before twenty.
Note... Americans mistakenly establish age 18 as the beginning of adulthood, but recent scientific research has revealed that the frontal lobes of a child is not fully connected and sealed until the mid-20s! That means a kid will be a kid -- tornado-stricken bedroom and all -- until he or she is at least 26 years of age!
I for one did not feel anything like an adult or acted like one after my 18 th birthday. Far from it... It's not an automatic age group, but maturity measured by responsible behavior that determines who's still a kid and who's a grownup.
Here's the bottom line: Mom, Dad, keep the bed in that other room for a few more years, just in case. Because if you take that arbitrary 18-year-old adult thing too seriously, you may see junior or mamie move right back in, even after graduating from college, or after service in the military. And if you think that's not likely, then you may need to do some growing up of your own, and who knows how long that could take?
I told Favor, "You're still a toddler... How much do you weigh?"
Then I caught myself? "Is Favor a toddler? If she's not, what is she now?"
- Infant: age 0 to 1
- Toddler: ages 1 to 3
- Preschooler: ages 3 to 5
- Middle childhood: ages 6 to 12
- Teenager: ages 13 to 19. Break down the turbulent teenage years into three stages of adolescence (same as "idle less sense"). (a) Early adolescence is ages 13 to 14. (b) Middle adolescence is 15 to 17 years of age. (c) Late adolescence is ages 18 and 19.
Note... Americans mistakenly establish age 18 as the beginning of adulthood, but recent scientific research has revealed that the frontal lobes of a child is not fully connected and sealed until the mid-20s! That means a kid will be a kid -- tornado-stricken bedroom and all -- until he or she is at least 26 years of age!
I for one did not feel anything like an adult or acted like one after my 18 th birthday. Far from it... It's not an automatic age group, but maturity measured by responsible behavior that determines who's still a kid and who's a grownup.
Here's the bottom line: Mom, Dad, keep the bed in that other room for a few more years, just in case. Because if you take that arbitrary 18-year-old adult thing too seriously, you may see junior or mamie move right back in, even after graduating from college, or after service in the military. And if you think that's not likely, then you may need to do some growing up of your own, and who knows how long that could take?
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)I see you still haven't figured out how to connect those frontal lobes. My son moved back in for a couple of years to save money for college and he was 22. At least then he was on the right path. Interesting article Mogama.Please log in to respond to this comment.I guess not, Linda. I should have gone into the medical field like my dad wanted. Who knows? I might have been the frontal lobes specialist by now.From your experience with your son, I won't be in any hurry to take the spare bedroom off the market after my collegiate leaves. I'd rather have her or him get "on the right path" the second time around under my roof than out there in no man's land. ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Mogama thanks for sharing this interesting piece. I have two sons and the eldest 37 years old has only just moved out and not of his own choice but that of the girl he married. I also have a 23 year old who is showing no signs of ever leaving - Woe is me what have I done to deserve thisYou and yours keep wellYour friend KacyPlease log in to respond to this comment.Well, Kacy, you may be my consultant of choice, should I have to shelter my daughter or son beyond 19. I think "congrat" is quite in place. ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.
What a chuckle - what an age span - such blessings! I am sure it all goes way too quickly! Toddler no more.Please log in to respond to this comment.Totally agree, Marijo. BTW, I was waiting for someone to go first... I'm a "toddler no more" too. ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.
When children are little, we don't want them to grow up too fast and leave us. Then we reach a point, which we're at now, when you look at their bedroom and think, "That would make a great office." The circle of life. :) By the way Mogama, Favor is a beautiful name.Please log in to respond to this comment.That thought has crossed my mind, Brianna, looking in my teenager's room and thinking it may become my office soon!
And yes, we named her Favor as a one word story and reminder of the time she came into our lives. So many wonderful things we had not earned were happening to us. ~mogama~Please log in to respond to this comment.
i love every kidsPlease log in to respond to this comment.
I enjoyed the article and your insights. I was actually looking to see when my 9mo old would be considered a Toddler (whether at an age or walking), but found it very interesting in reference to my two older children. Great job.Please log in to respond to this comment.
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