Early Childhood Development: Toddler & Preschool Vocabulary Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering toddler and preschool development, Piaget and Vygotsky concepts, language milestones, moral development, discipline, safety, play, and screening tools as presented in the notes.

Toddler

Child aged 1–2 years; rapid motor development and emerging autonomy.

Preschooler

Child aged 3–6 years; language growth, social skills, and self-help progress.

Early Childhood

Developmental period roughly from 1 to 6 years, encompassing toddler and preschool stages.

Receptive Language

Ability to understand spoken language before using words.

Expressive Language

Ability to express thoughts and needs through words and sentences.

Autonomy

Self-sufficiency and independence in activities like dressing and feeding.

Self-Image

Child’s sense of self-worth and identity.

Anterior Fontanel

Soft spot on a baby’s skull; typically closes by about 18 months.

Lumbar Lordosis

Inward curvature of the lower spine common in toddlers.

Pincer Grasp

Precise grasp using thumb and index finger; develops around age 1.

Eustachian Tube

Short, straight tube in toddlers that predisposes to ear infections.

Self-Feeding

Beginning to feed oneself independently.

Appetite Decrease (by age 2)

Natural reduction in appetite as toddlers grow; common around age 2.

Growth: Height Increase

Height typically increases 2–4 inches per year in early childhood.

Growth: Weight Increase

Weight typically increases 4–6 pounds per year in early childhood.

Primary Teeth

Baby teeth that erupt in infancy and are shed later for permanent teeth.

Tooth Eruption Timeline

Pattern of when primary teeth emerge (e.g., central incisors around 8–12 months).

Tooth Shedding

Loss of primary teeth as permanent teeth erupt (usually ages 6–12).

Lactose Intolerance

Difficulty digesting lactose; can appear in preschool years.

Myelination

Development of the myelin sheath around nerves; continues into early childhood, improving coordination.

Handedness

Preference for using one hand; typically evident between 18 months and 5 years.

20/20 Vision by Age 4

Visual acuity goal indicating normal vision by about age 4.

Toilet Training Readiness

Prerequisites before toilet training: walking, dry for ~2 hours, and ability to communicate need.

Denver II

Developmental screening tool for birth to 6 years across multiple domains.

Sensorimotor (Piaget)

Birth–2 years stage where learning is based on senses and actions; object permanence emerges.

Preoperational (Piaget)

2–6 years stage with magical thinking, egocentrism, and symbolic thought.

Egocentrism

Seeing the world only from one’s own viewpoint; a hallmark of early preop. thinking.

Centration

Focusing on one aspect of a problem, hindering logical thinking.

Irreversibility

Difficulty undoing or reversing a thought or action in preoperational thinking.

Conservation

Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in appearance.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Difference between what a child can do alone and what they can do with guidance.

Scaffolding

Temporary support to help a learner master the next task, gradually removed.

Inner Speech

Silent thinking; language guiding behavior, developing in later preschool years.

Self-Recognition

Awareness that one is a distinct person; emerges around 15–24 months.

Kohlberg: Preconventional

Moral reasoning based on avoiding punishment or seeking rewards.

Kohlberg: Conventional

Moral reasoning based on conforming to rules for recognition or reward.

Kohlberg: Postconventional

Moral reasoning guided by personal principles; ethical considerations.

Discipline

Strategies to guide and teach appropriate behavior (time-out, explanations, consistency).

Positive Reinforcement

Rewarding a desired behavior to increase its likelihood.

Negative Reinforcement

Removing an aversive condition to increase a desired behavior.

Negative Punishment

Taking away a privilege to decrease an undesired behavior.

Corporal Punishment

Physical punishment; generally discouraged as a discipline method.

Instrumental Aggression

Hurtful behavior aimed at gaining a goal or object.

Reactive Aggression

Impulsive retaliation in response to a perceived threat or frustration.

Relational Aggression

Nonphysical acts intended to harm social connections (insults, social exclusion).

Bullying

Repeated, intentional aggression toward a vulnerable person.

Solitary Play

Child plays alone without engagement with others.

Onlooker Play

Child watches others play but does not join in.

Parallel Play

Children play with similar toys side-by-side without direct interaction.

Associative Play

Children engage in similar activities and share but do not co-ordinate.

Cooperative Play

Children play together with a common goal or rules; collaborative.

Play Types (Overview)

Different play forms in early childhood: solitary, onlooker, parallel, associative, cooperative.

Erikson: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Toddler stage focusing on independence; shame arises if autonomy is overly restricted.

Erikson: Initiative vs. Guilt

Preschool stage where children initiate activities; excessive criticism may cause guilt.

Erikson: Industry vs. Inferiority

School-age stage emphasizing mastery; success builds competence; failure leads to inferiority.

Erikson: Trust vs. Mistrust

Infancy stage where consistent care builds trust in caregivers.

Safety & Injury Prevention

Childproofing, car seats, safe storage of meds, and age-appropriate toys.

60 Minutes of Physical Activity

Recommendation for daily activity to support cardiovascular health in young children.

Play & Social Development

Play types support social skills and cooperation; progression from solitary to cooperative.

Denver II Screening Domains

Social/Emotional, Language/Communication, Cognitive, Movement/Physical, Personal-Social.

Language Milestones (Toddler to Preschool)

From first clear words by ~12–15 months to vocab >2,000 words by age 5.

MyPlate Dietary Guidelines

Dietary framework: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy, and oils.

Safety: Drowning Risk

Toddlers at higher risk in baths; preschoolers near pools; supervision essential.

Dressing & Autonomy Milestones

Children progressively dress themselves, undress, and use the toilet with less help.

Autonomy in Daily Tasks

Children’s growing ability to perform tasks independently.

Memory & Cognitive Development

Progression from reflexive behavior to symbolic thought and planning.

Verbal Milestones (Early Childhood)

Progression from cries to words to multiword sentences and complex language.

Peer Interaction Milestones

Increasing social interaction, sharing, and cooperative play with peers.

Case Study Focus (Desmond)

Illustrates developmental concerns (delays, feeding, socialization) in early childhood.