Your amazing two year old
Learn all about how your two year old develops and pick up some useful tips on how to help and encourage him
Published 01 April 2008
It’s amazing watching how your child grows and develops between the ages of two and three. Do remember that, just like grown-ups, children are individuals and they all develop at different rates — the information given below is just a rough guide. Children with special needs may take a little longer to hit the various milestones too. If you are concerned about your child’s development, talk to your health visitor or GP.
Social and emotional development
Your two year old depends on you for his sense of security, and may be clingy and tearful when you leave him with other people. At the same time he’s asserting his individuality, saying “no” to your requests and making simple choices. He’ll also enjoy playing next to other children, but won’t be interested in actually playing cooperatively with them just yet.Try this:
When you leave your two-year-old with other people, remind him that you’ll be back and say goodbye with a quick hug and kiss.- Get your two-year-old together with other children, for example, at a playgroup — mixing with others is important at this age.
- Help him make decisions, but keep the choices simple — “Do you want the red jumper or the green one?”
Physical development
Your two-year-old is enjoying his growing sense of coordination and speed. Now he can walk, run, jump, move around objects and, with a little help, balance on one foot. He also has a preferred hand for holding pencils and can draw circles, lines and dots.Try this:
- Put a balloon or a large, soft ball at his feet and show him how to kick it.
- Play some music with a strong beat so he can practise jumping up and down to the rhythm.
- Get your child to string together large beads or build a tower of six or seven bricks.
Language and learning
At this age your child’s language begins to explode. He can probably respond to simple commands, such as “Point to your nose”, and may soon be saying his first sentences. He’ll be starting to understand shapes and colours too.Try this:
- Children learn through imitation, so use clear, simple language that he can copy.
- Encourage him to talk by asking questions that need more than a yes or no answer, such as “Where’s the doggy going?”.
- Read with your child daily — children love to reread their favourite books, but try to choose books that introduce new words as well.
Find out more
- Your Toddler Month by Month by Tanya Byron (£16.99, Dorling Kindersley)
- Teach Yourself Your Toddler's Development by Caroline Deacon (£8.99, Teach Yourself Books, available May 2008)
Words: Rachael Buchanan, Jan Murray, Claire Halsey. Illustration: Ana Diaz
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