In the second year of life, toddlers typically experience significant growth in their physical and cognitive abilities. They may begin to walk more confidently, climb, and explore their environment. Language development accelerates, with many children saying simple words and phrases, allowing for better communication with caregivers and peers. Socially, second-year-olds often show increased interest in playing with others, though they may still engage in parallel play rather than cooperative play. They may express a wider range of emotions and start to assert their independence, which can lead to both exciting milestones and challenging behaviors as they navigate their world.