Understanding Developmental Leaps: What to Expect in Year Two

As early years professionals and parents ourselves, we understand how confusing it can be when your previously settled child suddenly becomes clingy, sleeps poorly, or seems to regress in skills they'd mastered. These challenging periods often signal exciting developmental leaps - times when your child's brain is reorganising and growing rapidly.

What Are Developmental Leaps?

The Science Behind Growth Spurts

Developmental leaps are periods of rapid brain development when children:

Acquire new skills in thinking, movement, or communication
Reorganise existing knowledge to accommodate new understanding
Experience temporary disruption as their brain processes change
Emerge with enhanced abilities after the challenging period

Why Leaps Feel Disruptive

During these periods, children often seem more:

Clingy and demanding of parental attention
Fussy and unsettled with changes to routine
Resistant to activities they previously enjoyed
Wakeful at night as brain activity increases

Key Developmental Leaps in the Second Year

Around 12-15 Months: Understanding Relationships

What's developing:

Grasping cause and effect relationships
Understanding that actions have consequences
Beginning to predict what happens next

You might notice:

Increased interest in fitting toys inside containers
Repetitive actions like dropping objects to see what happens
Growing understanding of simple instructions
Temporary sleep disruption or clinginess

Around 15-18 Months: Exploring Possibilities

What's developing:

Understanding that objects can be used in different ways
Beginning problem-solving skills
Increased curiosity about how things work

You might notice:

Using household items as tools or toys
Increased determination to do things independently
Frustration when unable to communicate needs clearly
Possible increase in tantrum-like behaviors

Around 18-21 Months: Developing Systematic Thinking

What's developing:

Ability to follow simple sequences
Understanding of categories and sorting
Beginning logical thinking processes

You might notice:

Interest in putting things in order
Enjoying simple puzzles and shape sorters
Increased attention to detail
Possible regression in previously mastered skills

Around 21-24 Months: Understanding Complex Relationships

What's developing:

Grasping more complex cause and effect
Understanding time concepts (before/after)
Developing theory of mind (understanding others have different thoughts)

You might notice:

Increased interest in pretend play
Better ability to wait for short periods
Growing empathy for others
Possible sleep disruptions or mood changes

Supporting Your Child Through Leaps

Providing Extra Comfort and Security

During challenging periods:

Offer more physical comfort through hugs and cuddles
Maintain consistent routines even if they seem resistant
Be patient with increased demands for attention
Provide reassurance that you understand they're having a difficult time

Encouraging New Skills Without Pressure

Offer opportunities for practicing emerging skills
Follow their lead in terms of interest and energy
Celebrate small successes without overwhelming praise
Avoid introducing major changes during leap periods

Managing Your Own Expectations

Remember that regression is temporary and often signals progress
Don't take difficult behavior personally - it's about brain development, not your parenting
Trust that this phase will pass - most leaps last 1-4 weeks
Focus on connection rather than correction during challenging times

Common Challenges During Leaps

Sleep Disruptions

Many families experience:

Difficulty falling asleep due to increased brain activity
More frequent night wakings as processing continues during sleep
Earlier morning wake-ups or resistance to naps
Dreams or night fears as imagination develops

Supporting better sleep:

Maintain consistent bedtime routines
Offer extra comfort without creating new sleep associations
Be patient - sleep typically improves after the leap
Consider slightly earlier bedtimes if they seem overtired

Increased Emotional Outbursts

During leaps, children may show:

Lower tolerance for frustration
Increased sensitivity to changes or disappointments
Difficulty regulating emotions they're learning to understand
More intense reactions to everyday situations

Supporting emotional regulation:

Stay calm and patient during outbursts
Acknowledge their feelings: "You're really frustrated"
Provide comfort without immediately trying to "fix" the emotion
Offer simple choices to restore some sense of control

Apparent Skill Regression

It's common to see temporary:

Loss of recently acquired skills as the brain reorganises
Increased difficulty with previously mastered tasks
Resistance to activities they used to enjoy
Need for more help with independence skills

Understanding regression:

This is a normal part of development, not a step backward
Skills typically return stronger after the leap
Don't worry about "losing progress" - it's temporary
Continue offering opportunities without pressure

When Leaps Affect Family Life

Managing Daily Routines

During challenging periods:

Build in extra time for transitions and daily activities
Simplify expectations for what needs to be accomplished
Focus on essential routines while being flexible with others
Plan for shorter outings or activities if needed

Supporting Siblings

Other children in the family may need:

Extra attention when one child is particularly demanding
Simple explanations about why their sibling is more difficult
Individual time with parents when possible
Patience and understanding from family members

Looking After Yourself

Parents need support during these periods:

Lower expectations for productivity and household management
Seek support from partners, family, or friends
Remember this is temporary - leaps don't last forever
Celebrate small victories and moments of connection

Recognising vs. Other Concerns

Normal Leap Behaviors Include:

Temporary disruption followed by new skills
Increased need for comfort and reassurance
Changes lasting 1-4 weeks typically
Eventual emergence of new abilities

Consider Professional Support If:

Dramatic changes in behavior last longer than 6 weeks
Complete loss of skills without recovery
Extreme distress that interferes with daily functioning
Concerns about overall development or wellbeing

Who Can Help:

Health visitors for developmental guidance
GP for medical concerns
Early years practitioners for educational support
Other parents for reassurance and perspective

Celebrating Development Through Leaps

Recognising Progress

After each leap, celebrate:

New skills and abilities that have emerged
Increased complexity in play and communication
Growing independence in daily activities
Enhanced understanding of the world around them

Documenting Growth

Take photos of new skills and achievements
Keep simple notes about developmental milestones
Share excitement with family members about progress
Create positive associations with growth and learning

Looking Ahead: Future Leaps

Preparing for Ongoing Development

Understanding leaps helps families:

Anticipate challenging periods without alarm
Trust in the developmental process even during difficult times
Appreciate the connection between temporary difficulty and growth
Develop resilience for supporting future developmental changes

Building Family Confidence

Each successfully navigated leap:

Increases family confidence in handling challenges
Strengthens bonds through supporting each other
Builds understanding of individual children's patterns
Creates positive associations with growth and change

Our Approach to Supporting Development

When we open late in 2026, our approach to developmental leaps will include:

Individual observation to recognise when children are experiencing leaps
Flexible expectations that accommodate temporary changes in behavior
Partnership with families to provide consistent support
Professional understanding of normal developmental patterns
Celebration of progress after challenging periods pass

Remember, developmental leaps are signs of healthy brain growth. While they can be challenging for families, they represent exciting progress in your child's journey toward greater understanding and capability.

Looking for childcare that understands and supports natural developmental patterns? Join our waiting list to learn more about our approach to nurturing development when we open late in 2026.