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Home › Articles › Toddler Health › Toddler Health Concerns as They Grown

Toddler Health Concerns as They Grown

Spotting Problems During Toddlerhood

By Renee Roberson

Pages:  1  2  3  4  

The Eyes Have It
Nelsen says pediatricians routinely screen for problems with the eyes themselves such as checking for strabismus (crossed eyes) or to see that the iris is normal, but unlike hearing screening, a similar procedure for vision is not typically performed until a child comes in for their kindergarten physical, which in some cases may be too late.

Signs that a toddler may have impaired vision include the following:

  • Holding books or toys close to the face.
  • Sitting close to the television.
  • Problems seeing people or objects that are far away.
  • Excessive squinting or rubbing of the eyes.

If a parent suspects any problems with their toddler's hearing or vision, it's best to point it out to a pediatrician as soon as possible for further assessment.

Express Yourself
Donna Garcia, a personal parent consultant and Montessori preschool director in Cornelius, N.C., says that parents may notice language or speech delays during the toddler years. She points out that a child will often become frustrated or agitated because he can't find the words to express himself.

"Sometimes its an emotional thing rather than a developmental problem," Garcia says. "Some children feel more shy or anxious around other children."

Caring for Your Baby and Child: Birth to Age 5 (Bantam, 2004), a comprehensive guide published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, says signs of a possible speech delay include the following: