Important Developmental Milestones for 2 Year Olds
As children grow and learn, it is important for parents and caregivers to be familiar with the developmental milestones for 2 year olds.
Please remember that even though about 75% of children reach developmental milestones by the recommended age, each child will progress at their own pace.
Some children reach these milestones before the age-based guidelines, while others need a bit more time.
If you truly believe your child is behind, it is recommended to reach out to a professional.
Developmental Milestones for 2 Year Olds:
Physical Development:
- Toddlers should be nearly 4x their birth weight with an average weight of 27lbs (12.2kg)
- 2 and 3 year olds will grow about 7.5cm (3in) per year.
- Average height of 2-year-old girl: 85cm
- Average height of 2-year-old boy: 86.5cm
- About 16 teeth have erupted by the second year of life
- A child’s head and chest circumference are about equal at 2 years of age.
Gross Motor Skills:
- Can walk up and down steps by placing both feet on each step
- Runs with coordination
- Successfully kicks a ball
- Climbs on and off furniture without assistance
Fine Motor Skills:
- Builds a tower with 6-7 blocks
- Can turn the pages in a board book one at a time
- Repetitive scribbles back and forth when drawing
- Stage of drawing: controlled scribbles with digital grasp
- Eats independently using a fork or spoon
Cognitive Development:
- Children are able to find objects or toys hidden under multiple layers
- Domestic mimicry – will imitate chores like sweeping and cleaning
- Starts sorting basic shapes with shape-sorting puzzles
- Starts engaging in pretend play – ex. talking on a pretend phone
Communication and Language Development:
- Combines at least 2 words together (ex. ”more water”)
- Will follow basic commands when given
- Will point to at least 2 body parts when asked
- Points to objects and people when named for the child
- Repeats words from a conversation
Developmental Activities for 2-Year-Old
The best thing we can do for our children is to let them learn through play. Hands-on playtime experiences provide an amazing learning environment for children, especially at this age.
Try implementing some of these tips, tricks, and activities to help your child further develop their language, social-emotional, motor, and cognitive development.
- Engage in pretend play with your child – helps promote language, creativity, and cognitive skills
- Read with your child every day – there are so many amazing benefits of reading to your child. It will help set them up for success down the road.
- Expand on your child’s language skills.
- If your child says, ”Milk” respond by saying ”Do you want more milk?”
- Include your child in daily chores – putting laundry in the washing machine, sweeping the floor, putting toys away, etc.
- Cook with your child – as children scoop, pour, and measure food with you, they are developing important fine motor movements and early math skills.
- Encourage independence – help build your child’s confidence and independence by letting them perform daily tasks like eating, washing hands, putting shoes on, etc.
For more information on developmental milestones for 2 year olds, please visit the CDC website.
