---
title: Health & Physical Development - Young Toddler | SDStepAhead
---

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- Age-Level Continuum 
    - [Infants (Birth - 12 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/infants)
    - [Younger Toddlers (8-21 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/young-toddler)
    - [Older Toddlers (18-36 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-toddler)
    - [Younger Preschooler (33-48 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler)
    - [Older Preschooler (45-60+ months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-preschoolers)
    - [Transition to Kindergarten](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/transition-to-kindergarten)
- Learning Domains 
    - [Approaches to Learning](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning)
    - [Social Development & Emotional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/social-emotional-development)
    - [Communication, Language, & Literacy](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/communication-language-literacy)
    - [Cognitive Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/cognitive-development)
    - [Health & Physical Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/health-physical-development)
    - [Appendix A: Supporting Children With Disabilities](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-a-supporting-children-with-disabilities)
    - [Appendix B: Supporting Dual Language Learners](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-b)
- About 
    - [Purpose, Children’s Success & Working Together](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sd-stepahead)
    - [Guiding Principles](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/guiding-principles)
    - [SDELG Organization](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/sdlg-organization)
    - [Using SDStepAhead](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sdstepahead)
    - [Glossary](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead)
    - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/faqs)
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- Age-Level Continuum 
    - [Infants (Birth - 12 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/infants)
    - [Younger Toddlers (8-21 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/young-toddler)
    - [Older Toddlers (18-36 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-toddler)
    - [Younger Preschooler (33-48 months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/younger-preschooler)
    - [Older Preschooler (45-60+ months)](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/older-preschoolers)
    - [Transition to Kindergarten](https://sdstepahead.com/ages-stages/transition-to-kindergarten)
- Learning Domains 
    - [Approaches to Learning](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/approaches-to-learning)
    - [Social Development & Emotional Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/social-emotional-development)
    - [Communication, Language, & Literacy](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/communication-language-literacy)
    - [Cognitive Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/cognitive-development)
    - [Health & Physical Development](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/health-physical-development)
    - [Appendix A: Supporting Children With Disabilities](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-a-supporting-children-with-disabilities)
    - [Appendix B: Supporting Dual Language Learners](https://sdstepahead.com/learning-domains/appendix-b)
- About 
    - [Purpose, Children’s Success & Working Together](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sd-stepahead)
    - [Guiding Principles](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/guiding-principles)
    - [SDELG Organization](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/sdlg-organization)
    - [Using SDStepAhead](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/about-sdstepahead)
    - [Glossary](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead)
    - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/faqs)
- [Find Services](https://sdstepahead.com/find-services)
- [Professional Development & Resources](https://sdstepahead.com/resources)
- [Contact](https://sdstepahead.com/contact)

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Component%20Pictures/Young%20Toddler/Portrait%20of%20girl%20in%20the%20park%20young%20toddler%20comp.jpeg)

# Health and Physical Development Younger Toddlers (8 to 21 months) Components and Developmental Indicators

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Adorable%20baby%20sleeping%20on%20white%20bed%20with%20copy%20space.jpeg?width=649&name=Adorable%20baby%20sleeping%20on%20white%20bed%20with%20copy%20space.jpeg)

## COMPONENT 1: Physical Health & Growth

### Developmental Indicators

#### HPD Goal-1: Children develop healthy eating habits.

1

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Try new foods.

2

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Feed self with some assistance.

3

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Communicate when hungry, thirsty, or has had enough.

1

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Eat enough to meet nutritional needs, although amount or type of food may vary over time (eat a lot at one meal and little at the next, show interest in many foods but no interest in others).

2

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Eat a variety of small pieces of [***age-appropriate***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) table foods.

3

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Distinguish between food and non-food items.

#### HPD Goal-2: Children engage in active physical play indoors and outdoors.

1

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Show they enjoy active [***play***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en)and seek to be [***physically active***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) (choose to play often on climber, laugh and squeal while moving).

2

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Anticipate and ask for outdoor play (point at door and say, “Out”, sometimes preferring to stay outside).

3

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

[***Engage***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) in regular and sustained movement (push toys around play area, go up and down, slide over and over).

4

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Develop strength and[***stamina***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) when using large muscles and participate in physical activity for longer periods of time.

#### HPD Goal-3: Children develop healthy sleeping habits.

1

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Cooperate with sleep [***routines***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en)(choose a book, get preferred sleep toy).

2

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Use simple sounds,[***gestures***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en), or words to show they are tired (say, “Night, night;” go to get familiar stuffed animal or other comfort item).

3

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Sleep well, waking rested.

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/baby-girl-playing-soccer-ball-YT%20HPD%20comp.jpg?width=649&name=baby-girl-playing-soccer-ball-YT%20HPD%20comp.jpg)

## COMPONENT 2: Motor Development

### Developmental Indicators

#### HPD Goal-4: Children engage in play and movement to develop the large muscle control and abilities needed to explore and move in their environment.

1

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Develop strength, balance, and coordination by repeating movements (pull up and sit down, bend and straighten, squat to pick something up from the floor).

2

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Coordinate arm and leg movements to explore, climb, push, pull, and achieve goals (push a stroller, use riding toys, crawl up steps).

#### HPD Goal-5: Children engage in play and experiences to develop muscle control and hand-eye coordination to manipulate objects and work with tools.

1

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Use hands and eyes together for more complex actions (put together and take apart toys, feed themselves finger foods, fill containers).

2

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Use hands to explore and manipulate objects (pick up and examine, stack two or three large blocks, pick up or roll a ball, and turn pages in board books).

3

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Use simple [***tools***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) (spoon for feeding hammer with pegs, crayon for scribbling).

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Component%20Pictures/Young%20Toddler/mother-washing-baby%20hands%20-%20YT%20HPD%20comp%203.jpg?width=649&name=mother-washing-baby%20hands%20-%20YT%20HPD%20comp%203.jpg)

## COMPONENT 3: Self-Care, Safety and Well Being

### Developmental Indicators

#### HPD Goal-6: Children develop personal hygiene and self-care skills.

1

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Cooperate and help with care routines and cleanup (mouth-care, hand-washing, diapering, dressing, bathing).

2

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Drink from a cup and feed themselves with their fingers or a spoon.

#### HPD Goal-7: Children use safe behaviors and personal safety practices with support from adults.

1

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Watch for [***adult***](https://sdstepahead.com/about-sdelg/whats-ahead?hsLang=en) reactions to unfamiliar things or situations that might be dangerous.

2

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Show some caution about unfamiliar and/or unsafe situations.

3

![](https://sdstepahead.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Used%20for%202024%20ELG/Checkmarks/green%20check.png?width=57&height=43&name=green%20check.png)

Respond to simple warnings that prevent harm (“Stop!” “Hot!” “Wait!”).

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