Toddler

What to expect in the toddler years
Between the first and third birthdays, your child changes from a wobbly walker into a running, climbing, talking little person. Vocabulary grows quickly, and so do independence and frustration. Sleep usually settles into one afternoon nap, meals become mostly family food, and your child starts to play alongside, and later with, other children. Development continues to be checked at scheduled screening visits at 18 and 30 months, recorded in the Health Booklet or on the HealthHub app.
We’ve grouped our toddler guides into three areas: toddler development, toddler food and nutrition, and preschool and childcare.
Toddler development: milestones, behaviour and potty training
Our toddler milestones guide sets out movement, hand skills, language and social milestones from 12 to 36 months in one table. It explains what happens at the 18- and 30-month developmental checks and lists the signs worth raising with your doctor. For language in particular, including bilingual homes and MOH’s screen time guidance, see our speech milestones guide.
Tantrums peak between about 18 months and 3 years. Our toddler tantrums guide explains why they happen and what to do in the moment, including on the MRT or in a mall. When your toddler shows signs of readiness, usually between 18 months and 3 years, our potty training guide walks you through a calm, step-by-step plan, with tips for HDB flats, outings and night training.
Toddler food: meals, milk and picky eating
From 12 months, toddlers can eat most family food, cooked with little salt and sugar. Our toddler meal ideas use HPB’s My Healthy Plate, with a sample week, portion sizes, hawker-friendly options and how much milk toddlers need. Plain full-cream milk, about two glasses a day, is plenty for most toddlers.
Fussy eating often peaks between 18 months and 3 years. Our guide to the picky eater toddler explains the division of responsibility, practical strategies that work, and when picky eating may be a feeding problem worth checking.
Preschool and childcare in Singapore
Singapore offers infant care from 2 months, childcare and playgroups from 18 months, a helper or nanny at home, grandparent care, or a mix. Our guide to childcare options compares each route and sets out the 2026 ECDA subsidies and fee caps. When it’s time to pick a centre or kindergarten, our guide on how to choose a preschool in Singapore covers Anchor and Partner Operators, MOE Kindergartens, private and international options, teaching approaches, a visit checklist and registration timelines.
For budgeting, our money and admin hub covers the Baby Bonus scheme, which the SG Child Support Package replaces from April 2027.
Health and everyday routines
Toddlers who start childcare tend to catch more bugs. Our guides to HFMD, coughs and colds and fever explain home care and red flags. The 15- and 18-month vaccinations and yearly flu jabs are in our vaccination schedule guide, and molars and canines arrive during these years, covered in the teething guide.
Most toddlers need about 11 to 14 hours of sleep in 24 hours, including one nap. Singapore’s MOH advises no screen time before 18 months apart from video calls, and under an hour a day from 18 months to 6 years. Everyday play does more for development than any app: stacking, pouring water, playground climbing, reading together and helping with simple chores. Void decks, neighbourhood playgrounds, libraries and park connectors all make free, toddler-friendly outings. Go in the cooler morning or evening hours.
Looking after yourself too
Toddlers are tiring. Broken sleep, work pressures and constant negotiation take a toll. If you’re struggling with low mood, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Our mummy hub covers wellbeing, and national mindline 1771 offers free, 24-hour mental health support in Singapore.