Key checklist for this stage
- In Korea, make sure your child has had the 4th national infant health checkup (18–24 months) and the 1st dental checkup (18–29 months).
- Check for missed vaccines in Korea's immunization registry (Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A and other post-first-birthday shots, plus yearly flu).
- Build a regular rhythm of three meals and one or two snacks a day.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (a rice-grain smear under age 3).
- Keep using a rear-facing car seat as long as your child is within the seat's height and weight limits.
- If speech isn't growing, or your child loses words or skills, ask for help without waiting for the next checkup.
Development — body, hands, words, feelings
Gross motor: walks well and starts to run, climbs stairs holding a hand, tries to kick a ball. Falls are frequent, but balance keeps improving.
Fine motor: stacks several blocks, tries to spoon-feed alone, scribbles with crayons, may turn book pages one at a time.
Language: vocabulary grows quickly, and around the second birthday many toddlers combine two words, like 'more milk' or 'mommy go'. They point to show what they can't yet say. The pace of speech varies a lot between children.
Social: 'parallel play' — playing next to, not with, other children — is common. Toddlers love to imitate adults and become possessive of their things. In new situations they still come back to a parent to feel safe.
Eating — joining family meals
Most toddlers can now eat what the family eats. Keep it low in salt, and cut tough or hard foods into small pieces. Offer grains, vegetables, fruit, protein (meat, fish, eggs, beans) and dairy, and let your child decide how much to eat.
About 2 cups (roughly 400–500 mL) of milk a day is plenty. Too much milk can crowd out food and lead to iron deficiency. Move from bottles to cups, and keep juice and sweet drinks to a minimum.
Picky eating and refusing meals are very common now. A new food may need to be offered many times before it's accepted. Sitting down together at set times works better than forcing food or feeding in front of a screen.
Sleep
Children aged 1–2 are recommended to sleep 11–14 hours a day including naps. Most drop to one nap a day.
Bedtime resistance and night waking may come back. Keep the same bedtime routine every night — bath, brushing, a book — and turn screens off before bed.
Checkups, vaccines and teeth
In Korea, the 4th infant health checkup is at 18–24 months and the 1st dental checkup at 18–29 months. Height, weight and head circumference are measured and a developmental screening (K-DST) is done, so jot down any questions about speech or behavior beforehand.
Post-first-birthday vaccines (DTaP 4th dose, Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis A and others) overlap or have set intervals. Check your child's record on Korea's immunization registry website or app. A flu shot every autumn is recommended from 6 months of age.
Frequent sweets or falling asleep with a bottle raise the risk of cavities. If you see a white band or brown spots on the back of the upper front teeth, visit a dentist.
Tantrums and 'No!'
Toddlers want to do much more than their words and self-control allow, so tantrums become frequent. This is a normal part of development, not a parenting failure.
Stop dangerous things briefly and clearly, and name your child's feelings ('You're upset because you want to keep playing'). Offering two choices and telling them what comes next help. Pediatric societies agree that hitting or yelling doesn't work and causes harm.
Safety
- Now that toddlers run and climb, keep furniture away from windows and anchor it to the wall.
- Store medicines, detergents, e-cigarettes and button batteries locked or up high. If swallowed, call emergency services (119 in Korea).
- In the bath or near water, stay within arm's reach no matter how shallow it is.
- Always hold hands in parking lots and alleys, and check no child is behind a car before moving it.
Vaccines & checkups in this stage
- General checkup 4 — Age 18–24 months
- Dental checkup 1 — Age 18–29 months
Korea's Childhood Vaccine Schedule → Infant and Child Health Checkups →
FAQ
My child is two and says only a few words. Is that late?
Speech timing varies widely, but if your child isn't combining two words at 24 months, or also understands little, rarely points or makes little eye contact, get it checked. The developmental screening at the checkup can help, and a hearing test and speech evaluation may follow if needed.
How much milk should a toddler drink?
About 2 cups (roughly 400–500 mL) a day is enough. More can reduce appetite for food and raise the risk of iron deficiency. Offer milk in a cup and stop bedtime bottles.
Should I ignore tantrums?
If it's safe, staying calmly nearby and waiting helps. Acknowledge the feelings, but you don't have to give in to every demand. Once your child is calm, sum it up in a few words.
When should we start potty training?
There's no set age. Start when you see readiness signs — telling you the diaper is wet, interest in the toilet, following simple instructions. Many children start after age two.
Sources
- Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) immunization registry
- National Health Insurance Service infant health checkups (Korea)
- Korean Pediatric Society
- AAP HealthyChildren.org
- CDC Learn the Signs. Act Early.
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) sleep duration recommendations
Medical information is for reference only. This is general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your child's doctor. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.
Related
As toddlers start walking, there is more they want to do and more they are not allowed to do. Help them express feelings with words and gestures, and let them explore freely within safe limits.
Age 2–3Ages 2–3Children begin speaking in sentences and playing pretend. They leave diapers behind, learn to get along with peers, and ask 'Why?' constantly.
Infant and Child Health CheckupsIn Korea, infant and child health checkups are national screenings paid for by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Each round has a fixed window, so check the dates and book ahead.
Toilet trainingToilet training goes faster and easier when a child is physically and emotionally ready. Praise and patience work better than pressure and scolding.
Discipline and emotion coachingThe goal of discipline is to help children build the ability to manage their own behavior. With clear, consistent limits on a foundation of warmth, children learn without being hit or frightened.
Developmental checks and delaysEvery child develops at their own pace, but when you are worried about a delay, checking is better than waiting. Finding out early and helping early does the most for your child.