The Growing Child: 2-Year-Olds

How much will my child abound?

After a child's second birthday, the rate of growth continues to irksome. Two-year-olds are very active and begin to lose the advent of a baby. While all children may grow at a different rate, the following indicates the average for 2-year-former boys and girls:

  • Weight. Average proceeds of about four to half dozen pounds per twelvemonth

  • Height. Average growth of near two to iii inches each twelvemonth

2 year old running happily in a park.

What can my child do at this age?

As your child continues to grow, you will notice new and exciting abilities that develop. While children may progress at different rates, the post-obit are some of the common milestones your child may achieve in this historic period grouping:

  • Walks and runs well

  • May bound awkwardly

  • Begins to throw, kick, and catch assurance

  • Tin can stand up momentarily on one foot

  • Climbs on playground structures

  • Turns doorknobs and lids

  • Begins to ride a tricycle

  • Builds towers of x blocks by 3 years onetime

  • All 20 teeth announced past 3 years erstwhile

  • Appetite decreases greatly

  • Has developed correct- or left-handedness past 3 years erstwhile

  • Turns pages in a volume, i at a fourth dimension

  • Has good thumb and finger control

  • Can drink through a straw

  • Begins to have float and bowel control

  • May nevertheless accept an afternoon nap

  • May sleep xi to 14 hours in a 24-60 minutes catamenia (including naps)

What tin can my child say?

Speech development is very heady for parents as they scout their children become social beings that can collaborate with others. Voice communication at this age is becoming clearer and the child begins to form sentences. While every child develops speech at his or her ain rate, the following are some of the common milestones in this historic period grouping:

  • Says about 200 to 300 words

  • Begins to put three words together (subject area, verb, object), for case "Me desire ball"

  • Names pictures

  • May name some trunk parts

What does my child understand?

While children may progress at different rates, the following are some of the common milestones children may reach in this age grouping:

  • Understands possession, "Mine"

  • Tin can tell his or her own historic period and name

  • Knows if he or she is a boy or daughter

  • Counts upwardly to 3 objects

  • May begin to problem solve

How does my child interact with others?

While every kid is unique and will develop unlike personalities, the following are some of the common behavioral traits that may be present in your child:

  • Shows independence from parents

  • Continues to play along side others without interacting, chosen parallel play

  • Acts as if other children are objects or toys

  • Does non empathize sharing

  • Is negative and says "no" oftentimes

  • Temper tantrums may continue

  • Helps to get himself or herself dressed and undressed

How to aid increase your child's learning and emotional security

Consider the following as ways to foster the emotional security of your 2-year-old:

  • Let your child have a choice when possible. For example, say, "Do yous desire a assistant or an orange?"

  • Let your kid help effectually the house, such as dusting, sweeping, or sorting laundry.

  • Read flick and story books with your kid.

  • Help your kid learn to wash his or her hands.

  • Allow your child endeavor to take off his or her ain apparel and put on some uncomplicated wearing apparel (such as apparel without buttons or zippers).

  • Allow your child play with blocks, balls, crayons, and/or clay. Supervise play and so that your child does not put objects in his or her oral cavity or ears.

  • Sing songs, play children'south music, and dance with your child.

  • Wait at family pictures with your child and tell a story.

  • Make cutting-outs in a large cardboard box to pretend it is a house or motorcar.

  • Employ toys during bathroom fourth dimension, or take fun pouring h2o from one cup to another.

  • Allow your child talk on a toy phone, or say a few words while you are talking on a real telephone.

  • Play "follow the leader" games.

  • Teach body parts while dressing and bathing.

  • Permit your child put stickers on paper to make a blueprint.

  • Count things out loud to teach your child well-nigh numbers (such equally count eggs in the carton, stairs every bit you lot go up, or fingers and toes).

  • Play with soap bubbles.

  • Use toys that sort shapes, such as a circle, square, or triangle.

  • Give your child a doll or teddy conduct.

  • Read your kid a book of rhymes.

  • Requite your child a toy to ride.

  • Limit tv set and video time.

  • Provide out-of-habitation social experiences.