emotional
When Do Toddlers Develop Emotional Skills?
Emotional skills (ICF b152) unfold gradually between 12 and 36 months — affection, shared joy, tantrums, comfort-seeking, and the early, adult-supported start of calming down. There is no single milestone age; toddlers regulate feelings with your help, not alone. Persistent absence of shared joy or comfort-seeking across settings is worth a gentle developmental check.
Your toddler's big feelings — the giggles, the tears, the proud little grins — are emotional development unfolding right on time.
In short
Emotional skills (ICF b152, the regulation and range of feelings) grow steadily between 12 and 36 months. There is no single "should" age — instead, watch for a gradual unfolding: showing affection, sharing feelings, copying your moods, and slowly learning to calm down with your help. Big tantrums in toddlerhood are normal, not a red flag.How emotions typically unfold (12–36 months)
- Around 12–15 months — shows affection to familiar people, may be wary of strangers, looks to you to gauge how to feel ("social referencing").
- Around 18 months — points to share excitement, may have tantrums, hugs a doll or toy, seeks comfort when upset.
- Around 24 months — shows defiance, notices when others are hurt or upset, begins simple pretend play with feelings.
- Around 30–36 months — names a few feelings, shows pride, takes turns with support, and starts (with your help) to settle big emotions.
A toddler this age cannot yet manage feelings alone — co-regulation with a calm adult is the skill at this stage.
The science
Emotional regulation is built through thousands of warm, responsive moments. When you name and soothe feelings, you wire the brain's regulation pathways. Variation is wide and normal; persistent flatness, no shared joy, or no comfort-seeking across settings is worth a gentle check.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care — this article is for guidance, not diagnosis. Explore emotional development, see how an AbilityScore® is calculated, or learn about child development therapy.Trusted sources
Aligned with the WHO ICF framework (b152, emotional functions), CDC "Learn the Signs. Act Early." milestones, and AAP/HealthyChildren guidance on toddler social-emotional growth.Next step — if you'd like reassurance or a developmental check, message the Pinnacle team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 for a friendly screen.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Gently check in if, across home and other settings, your toddler shows no shared joy or smiles, doesn't seek comfort when upset, seems consistently flat, or loses social warmth they once had.
Try this at home
Name feelings out loud as they happen — "You're cross the tower fell, that's hard." Naming and soothing teaches your toddler that big feelings are safe and manageable.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Is it normal for my 2-year-old to have big tantrums?
Yes. Tantrums are a normal part of emotional development around 18–36 months — your toddler feels strongly but can't yet calm down alone. Your steady, calm presence is exactly how they learn to regulate over time.
At what age do toddlers start showing affection?
Many toddlers show clear affection — hugs, snuggles, joy at seeing you — from around 12–15 months, and it deepens through the second and third years.
When should I be concerned about my toddler's emotions?
Consider a gentle developmental check if your child consistently shows no shared joy or smiles, doesn't seek comfort when upset, or loses warmth they previously had. A clinician at a Pinnacle centre can reassure or guide you.