Editing Developmental psychology (section)

===Toddlerhood===
{{Main|Toddler}}
Infants shift between ages of one and two to a developmental stage known as toddlerhood. In this stage, an infant's transition into toddlerhood is highlighted through self-awareness, developing maturity in language use, and presence of memory and imagination.

During toddlerhood, babies begin learning how to walk, talk, and make decisions for themselves. An important characteristic of this age period is the [[Language development|development of language]], where children are learning how to communicate and express their emotions and desires through the use of vocal sounds, babbling, and eventually words.<ref name=Upton>{{cite book| vauthors = Upton P |title=Developmental Psychology: Critical Thinking in Psychology|year=2011|publisher=Learning Matters|location=Exeter|isbn=978-0-85725-276-0|page=62}}</ref> Self-control also begins to develop. At this age, children take initiative to explore, experiment and learn from making mistakes. Caretakers who encourage toddlers to try new things and test their limits, help the child become autonomous, self-reliant, and confident.<ref name=ToddlerPlay>{{cite book| vauthors = Massi WS |title=Toddler Play|year=2001|publisher=Creative Pub. international|isbn=978-0-86573-435-7|url=https://archive.org/details/toddlerplaygymbo00wend}}</ref> If the caretaker is overprotective or disapproving of independent actions, the toddler may begin to doubt their abilities and feel ashamed of the desire for independence. The child's autonomic development is inhibited, leaving them less prepared to deal with the world in the future. Toddlers also begin to identify themselves in [[gender role]]s, acting according to their perception of what a man or woman should do.<ref name=UPton>{{cite book| vauthors = Upton P |title=Developmental Psychology: Critical Thinking in Psychology|year=2011|publisher=Learning Matters|location=Exeter|isbn=978-0-85725-276-0|page=84}}</ref>

Socially, the period of toddler-hood is commonly called the "terrible twos".<ref name=Newman>{{cite book| vauthors = Newman BM, Newman PR |title=Development Through Life : A Psychosocial Approach|year=2011|publisher=Wadsworth Cengage Learning|location=Belmont, CA|isbn=978-1-111-34468-9|pages=215–217 }}</ref> Toddlers often use their new-found language abilities to voice their desires, but are often misunderstood by parents due to their language skills just beginning to develop. A person at this stage testing their independence is another reason behind the stage's infamous label. Tantrums in a fit of frustration are also common.