At this age your toddler is starting to form connections based on how they can manipulate and influence their world through mental actions, not just through physical interactions. Mental actions include thinking, learning, and problem solving.

Your child's brain is also beginning to understand that other people can have a different perspective to them. Learning what empathy is as they start forming close friendships. Brain development at this age must support healthy social-emotional connections and self-regulation, which positively sets your child up academically for the preschool years and beyond.