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Baby and toddler

Toddler

A child from 1 to 3 years old, the stage CDC's parenting guidance places between infancy and the preschool years.

What It Means

A toddler is a child between 1 and 3 years old. The CDC splits these years into two bands for its parenting advice, 1 to 2 and 2 to 3, and treats children from 3 to 5 as preschoolersPreschoolerA child from 3 to 5 years old, the age band the CDC uses for its preschool parenting guidance. See more. During this stage the CDC offers milestone checklists at 15 months, 18 months, 2 years and 30 months, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends developmental screening at 18 and 30 months.

Try It: See the Guidance for Your Toddler's Age

Pick your toddler's age to see what CDC, AAP and NHTSA guidance says for that stretch of months.

CDC milestone checklist in this window

15 months

AAP screening at a checkup

None on the AAP list for these months. Raise any worry at the next visit anyway.

Screens

No screen media except video chat (AAP, under 18 months)

Sleep in 24 hours

11 to 14 hours, naps included

Car seat at every age here: rear-facing for as long as the seat's height and weight limits allow (NHTSA).

How Parents Say It

  • "He turned one and now he toddles everywhere."
  • "She's 20 months, so we're right in the toddler years."
  • "We're deep in the terrible twos."

The Breakdown

The toddler years at a glance

AgeCDC checklistAAP screeningScreens
12 to 17 months15 monthsNone on the listNo screen media except video chat
18 to 23 months18 monthsDevelopment and autismAutism spectrumAutism spectrum disorder: a developmental disability affecting social communication and interaction, with restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. See more at 18 monthsIf you add any, pick quality programming and watch together
24 to 29 months2 yearsAutism at 24 monthsUp to 1 hour a day of quality programming
30 to 35 months30 monthsDevelopment at 30 monthsUp to 1 hour a day of quality programming

The screen column follows CDC's toddler tips and the AAP's 2016 statement "Media and Young Minds." The AAP replaced its 2016 media statements in February 2026 with a new policy statement, "Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents," which puts more weight on the quality and setting of what children watch, and on talking about it as a family, than on minutes alone.

Across all of these months, the CDC lists 11 to 14 hours of sleep in every 24 hours, counting naps. For the car, NHTSA says to keep your child rear-facing until they reach the top height or weight limit of their seat.

What the checklists look at. The CDC's milestonesDevelopmental milestonesSkills most children can do by a certain age, like rolling over or waving bye-bye. CDC places each at the age 75% or more of children reach it. See more cover play, learning, speech, behavior and movement. Between 2 and 3, examples include taking turns, playing make-believePretend playPlay in which a child acts out something that isn't real, like feeding a doll, using a block as a phone, or being a superhero. See more and kicking a ball. Each checklist shows what most children can do by that age.

When to talk to the pediatrician

  • Your child isn't doing one or more things on the checklist for their age.
  • They've lost a skill they used to have.
  • Something else about how they're developing worries you.

In any of these cases, the CDC's advice is to act early: tell the doctor what you've noticed and ask about a developmental screening.

Good to Know

NHTSA recommends that children from 1 to 3 ride rear-facing as long as possible, up to the height or weight limit the seat's maker allows, and then move to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether. Check your seat's labels for its limits. Water needs the same attention: the CDC notes that drowning is the leading cause of injury death for children 1 to 2, and says never to leave a toddler near a bathtub, pool or other water without someone watching.

FAQ

What age is a toddler?

The CDC's parenting guidance covers toddlers from 1 to 3 years, in two bands: 1 to 2 and 2 to 3. At 3, its guidance moves on to preschoolers, ages 3 to 5.

How much sleep does a toddler need?

The CDC lists 11 to 14 hours in every 24 hours, with naps counted. Add night sleep and naps together to compare your child's day with that range.

When should a toddler face forward in the car?

NHTSA says to keep a child rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the top height or weight limit of their seat. After that, they move to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether. The seat's maker sets those limits, so check its labels and manual.

Do It in Buhata

Calendar and Reminders

Add each checkup to the Calendar in your Household Space and set a Reminder a few days ahead to go through the CDC checklist for that age.

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Related Terms and Categories

  • Developmental milestones

    Skills most children can do by a certain age, like rolling over or waving bye-bye. CDC places each at the age 75% or more of children reach it.

  • Screen time

    The time a child spends using screens such as TVs, tablets, phones, computers and game consoles, counted across a day or a week.

  • Preschooler

    A child from 3 to 5 years old, the age band the CDC uses for its preschool parenting guidance.

Baby and toddler

Sources

CDC, "Positive Parenting Tips: Toddlers (1 to 2 years old)"; CDC, "Positive Parenting Tips: Toddlers (2 to 3 years old)"; CDC, "Learn the Signs. Act Early." and "Milestone Checklists by Age"; NHTSA, "Car Seat and Booster Seat Safety"; American Academy of Pediatrics, "Media and Young Minds" (Pediatrics, 2016); American Academy of Pediatrics, "Digital Ecosystems, Children, and Adolescents: Policy Statement" (Pediatrics, February 2026)

Last updated .