Ages 1 to 2: Clingy, curious and on the move

Between one and two, your child goes from wobbly first steps to running off in the supermarket. They want to explore everything, yet panic the moment you leave the room. Both are signs of healthy development.

What is going on at this stage

Your child is learning that they are a separate person from you, but they do not yet understand that when you leave, you come back. Words are only just arriving, so frustration comes out as crying, throwing or pushing. The Harvard Center on the Developing Child calls the everyday back and forth between a child and a caring adult “serve and return”. When your child points, babbles or brings you something and you respond, you are helping to build their brain.

How to spot it

• Crying or clinging when you leave, even for a moment.

• Wariness or shyness with new people.

• Throwing, pushing or biting when they cannot get what they want.

• Pointing at things and bringing you objects to show you.

• Refusing food or sleep routines that worked last week.

What to do

• Keep goodbyes short and calm, and always say goodbye rather than slipping away. It teaches them you come back.

• Name feelings out loud: “You are cross because the tower fell down.” Over time, words replace the meltdown.

• Respond to their serves. Look where they point, name what they see and talk through your day as you go.

• Keep meals, naps and bedtime predictable. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 11 to 14 hours of sleep in 24 hours at this age, naps included.

• Avoid screens apart from video calls. The World Health Organization advises no sedentary screen time for children under two.

Going it alone

With no partner or grandparents to hand over to, the clingy phase can feel relentless. If you feel overwhelmed, it is fine to put your child down somewhere safe, such as their cot, and step away for a few minutes. Build one or two trusted adults, a friend, neighbour or nursery key worker, so your child learns other people are safe too and you get a break.

When to get extra help

Speak to your doctor or child health service if your child is not walking or trying words as this stage ends, does not respond to their name, or loses skills they already had.

This post offers general guidance and signposting, not professional advice. If you are worried about your child, trust your instincts and speak to a health professional.