Developmental Guide - 2 Year

Physical Development of 2-year-old

• walks alone, begins to run
• kicks a ball
• jumps
• stands on tiptoe
• carries toys while walking
• usually walks heel-toe pattern, not primarly on toes
• maintains balances over uneven surfaces
• walks without bumping into objects and people
• able to throw  overhand and attempts to catch
• pulls toys behind while walking
• climbs furniture unassisted
• coordinates both hands (swing bag, open container)

Play of a 2-year-old

• participates in small group activities
• imitates behavior of others
• enjoys playing with musical toys
• scribbles on paper
• explores various play environments
• builds tower of 4 or more blocks
• usually plays with toys without mouthing them
• participates in messy activities leading to dirty hands
• enjoys swinging/thrown in the air, roughhousing
• plays with variety of toys and textures
• enjoys playing near peers or parallel playing
• turns over container to pour out contents
• plays simple make-believe games

Sensory & Thinking Skills of a 2-year-old

• able to maintain eye contact with others
• able to locate objects pointed to
• wears new and varied textures of clothing
• aware of wet diaper or underwear
• self-calms in car rides when not tired or hungry
• not fearful of tipping head back or everyday sounds
• usually self-calms to fall asleep
• remains calm during haircuts
• generally happy when not tired or hungry
• cries and notices when hurt
• enjoys various textures after multiple exposures
• can be away from parents when w/ supportive people

Academic Learning of a 2-year-old

• locates objects of interest
• sort by shapes and colors
• enjoys sitting to listen or look at books
• follows 2-step unrelated directions
• point to things or pictures when named
• know names of parents, siblings, body parts
• turns head in response to name being called
• simple understand of color, space, and time

Personal Care Development of a 2-year-old

• enjoys bath time
• tolerates diaper changes without crying
• takes appropriate-sized bites of food
• uses fingertips to pick up small objects
• has established sleep schedule
• adapts to changes in routine
• eats increasing variety of food
• uses cups and spoon
• undress self

Language Development of a 2-year-old

• asks “what” and “where” questions
• understand basic nouns and pronouns
• understands “mine” and “yours”
• understands “why” questions
• uses “in” and “on”
• uses 2-4 word phrases
• 50 word vocabulary
• uses plurals
• repeat words
• follows simple instructions
• recognizes names of familiar people, objects, and body parts

Be Watchful for...

• can not walk by 18 months
• walks exclusively on toes
• doesn’t speak 15 words
• doesn’t use 2-word phrases
• doesn’t imitate actions or words
• doesn’t follow simple instructions
• can’t push a wheeled toy
• lose of skills once mastered

Discover More Ideas

• 1 Year Developmental Guide
• 3 Year Developmental Guide
• 4 Year Developmental Guide
• 5 Year Developmental Guide
• Cooking and Chores Ideas by Age
• Pragmatic Development Guide by Age

References

This article information is pulled from the following sources as well as many years of training. This information is provided as a guide only.  Because every child is different consult your pediatrician as this list is a generalization.

• Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, Bantam 1999
• Healthlinkbc.ca
• VeryWellFamily.com
• CDC.gov
• Childmind.org
• Education.com

This page may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.