Final answer:
The growth in toddlers is described as 'steplike' because it happens in incremental bursts rather than continuously. This slower pace of growth is characterized by milestones such as walking, language development, and improved motor skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term a nurse should use when describing the physical growth that occurs during the toddler years is steplike. This is because growth in toddlers does not happen at a constant, uninterrupted pace but rather occurs in bursts, followed by periods of slower growth. Additionally, in the context of human development, the term steplike can represent growth that happens in noticeable increments rather than in a smooth, continuous progression.
During infancy, growth in size is rapid, with significant gains in both weight and height. A toddler, defined as a child aged 1 to 3 years, experiences a slower pace of growth compared to infancy. Milestones of early childhood that are typically reached during the toddler years include learning to walk, developing language skills, and improving motor skills like running and climbing. By age three, most children can perform tasks such as scribbling with crayons and feeding themselves.