Parenting comes with a barrage of labels such as newborn, infant, toddler and preschooler. But when exactly does a baby become a toddler, and when do they grow out of that phase?
We asked child development experts and consulted trusted medical sources to help clear up the confusion around one of parenting’s most commonly used age terms.
According to the NHS and the American Academy of Pediatrics, a toddler is typically a child aged one to three years. This range is not just a convenient label. It reflects important developmental changes.
“The toddler phase begins when a child starts to walk independently, usually around twelve months,” says Dr Sarah Logan, a developmental paediatrician based in London. “It ends when they gain a more advanced sense of language, self-control and motor coordination, usually around their third birthday.”
The word toddler itself comes from the verb to toddle, describing the unsteady walking style of early walkers. This physical milestone of walking marks the beginning of toddlerhood.
“It is not just about movement,” says Dr Amanda Gummer, child psychologist and founder of The Good Play Guide. “Toddlers are beginning to explore autonomy. They assert their will, often loudly, and test boundaries. It is an age of emotional fireworks and huge learning potential.”
Between twelve and thirty-six months, children typically learn to walk and run, say basic words and short sentences, show curiosity and independence, begin toilet training and play more interactively with other children. These skills form the foundation of early development and are part of what defines the toddler stage.
However, development does not always follow a fixed timeline. Some children walk at nine months while others may wait until sixteen. Some three-year-olds still show toddler-like behaviour, especially in terms of emotional regulation. Experts agree that milestones are more important than age alone.
“Development is a continuum,” says Dr Gummer. “These labels are helpful, but they should not cause worry. Your child is not behind simply because they do not fit neatly into a category.”
After turning three, children are generally referred to as preschoolers or early years children. This phase includes continued progress in language, empathy, self-regulation and social skills. That said, many three-year-olds still display the energy, curiosity and unpredictability commonly associated with toddlers.
Most experts agree that toddlerhood lasts from around twelve months to age three. But as with many aspects of childhood development, flexibility is key. It is more important to support your child’s individual path than to focus on labels.