Articles (EN)

Crisis of 1 year: what happens to the child

2026-05-26 12:00 Development
In short: The crisis of 1 year is a normal stage of development associated with the growth of the child's independence. This is not a behavioral problem, but a sign of healthy development. The task of parents is to keep warm and set clear boundaries.

What is a 1-year-old crisis

The crisis of 1 year is a concept from Russian developmental psychology (L.S. Vygotsky, D.B. Elkonin). He describes the transitional period between infancy and early childhood, when the child begins to recognize himself as a separate person with a will of his own.
In Western psychology, this is called the "emergence of autonomy." The essence is the same: the child wants more control over his life, but there are still few tools. The gap between desire and possibilities gives rise to frustration — frustration, which is expressed in protest.
It's not "bad behavior" or "spoiled." This is a normal stage described in the development of a first-year child.

Signs of the crisis of 1 year

It usually begins at 9-12 months and lasts up to 1.5 years, in some children it takes longer. Signs:
  • Frequent and strong tantrums – the child gets upset because of trifles
  • "I want it myself" is repelling the help of adults
  • "I want to be in my arms" requires constant presence and contact
  • Inconsistency: calls — runs away; If he wants, he refuses
  • Heightened separation anxiety
  • Sleep and appetite disorders
  • Trying to Test Boundaries: Doing the Forbidden, Looking at You

Why it happens: physiology

At 10-14 months, an explosive development occurs in the child's brain: the frontal cortex is actively formed - the area responsible for planning, control and decision-making. But it matures slowly, and by the age of one year it is not yet able to regulate emotions.
Result: strong desires + inability to realize them + immature self-regulation system = tears and protest. This is biology, not behavior.
At the same time, the child masters walking and speech - a huge load on the nervous system. The load manifests itself in irritability. About motor development during this period - in a separate article.

How to react: what helps

  • Stay calm. Your calmness is a "regulator" for the immature nervous system of the child. A parent who remains calm during a tantrum teaches the child: "it can be experienced"
  • Name emotions: "You're angry that it doesn't work out" – this gives words for feelings and reduces the intensity
  • Give a choice where you can: "Do you want a red mug or a blue one?" – the feeling of control reduces the protest
  • Alert about changes: "Five more minutes and we're going home"
  • Keep rituals: predictability is the basis of safety during this period
What doesn't help: shouting in response to yelling, punishing for hysterics, shaming ("you're big, stop it"). At this age, the child cannot yet "stop" on demand – the nervous system does not give it.

Boundaries: necessary, but soft

A child needs boundaries – they give a sense of security. But the one-year limit is not a ban with punishment, but a calm consecutive "no" accompanied by a switch or an alternative.
"You can't touch the socket. Say it 47 times and by the 48th the child will begin to understand. Not because he is afraid, but because the frontal cortex has matured a little.
Read more about emotional development and attachment – how secure attachment helps to survive crisis periods.

Support for parents

The crisis of 1 year is a test for adults as well. It's normal to get tired, irritated, feel helpless. That doesn't mean you're a bad parent. Several practices:
  • Ask for help - ask your partner, grandmother or friend to replace
  • Remember: "this is temporary" - most children go through the acute phase of the crisis in 2-3 months
  • Look for a community: other parents of children of the same age are the best support

When to see a doctor

  • Tantrums last more than 30 minutes several times a day
  • The child holds his breath until he loses consciousness while crying (affective-respiratory attacks)
  • Aggression is directed at oneself (bites oneself, hits one's head)
  • A sharp decrease in interest in the environment, loss of skills
  • You feel that you are not coping – this is also a reason to seek support
For more information on the signs that require specialist advice, see the article Alarming Signs in Development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the crisis of 1 year the same as "terrible twos"?

No, although the mechanism is similar. "Terrible twos" are a crisis of 2-3 years associated with the emergence of a conscious will and the word "no". The crisis of 1 year is an earlier stage, when the will is still being formed and expressed through physical protest.

Should hysteria be ignored?

Ignoring the crying of a one-year-old child is not recommended. At this age, the child is not manipulative – he experiences real stress. Your calm presence next to you (even without words) helps the nervous system calm down. After the end of the tantrum, hug and name what happened.

Conclusion

The crisis of 1 year is a sign that the child is developing correctly: he has will, desires and self-awareness. Your task is to be there, to stay warm and consistent. This will pass, and the skills that the child will master during this period will remain for life.

Bibliography

  1. Vygotsky L.S. (1984). Crisis of one year. Sobr. cit., vol. 4. Moscow: Pedagogy.
  2. Kopp C.B. (1982). Antecedents of self-regulation: A developmental perspective. Developmental Psychology, 18(2), 199–214.
  3. Ainsworth M.D.S. et al. (1978). Patterns of Attachment. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
  4. Sroufe L.A. (1996). Emotional Development. Cambridge University Press.
  5. Eisenberg N. et al. (2010). The Relations of Emotionality and Regulation to Children's Anger-Related Reactions. Child Development, 67(6), 2525–2540.
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are concerned about your child's behavior, contact your pediatrician or child psychologist.