Child Development

Can you believe that in just 24 months your baby has grown to be a walking, talking,thinking toddler? One minute she touches your heart with her smile and big hug. The next she drives you crazy as she says “No!”

Again. She is figuring out who she is, what she can do and who is in charge. She wants to be “little” and “grown up” at the same time. Life is not always easy for your terrific two-year-old.

One minute she may cling to you. The next she may insist “My do” and refuse your helping hand. She is gaining new skills at the same time she is learning rules that she is expected to follow. Sometimes she may appear so grown up you may expect her to behave in ways she’s not yet able to.

Sometime, during the next twelve months, here are some of the new things you will likely see your two-year-old do:

• Follow simple one or two part directions: “Will you please bring the book over here and climb up on the sofa so we can read?”
• Have a vocabulary of 100 words or more (by 36 months
• Hold a “conversation” with back and forth exchanges
• Listen to a familiar story and even catch a mistake!
• Ask lots of questions (why? where? what?)
• Imitate behaviors and actions
• Make connections between something that is happening now, and something that happened in the past. Her memory is becoming stronger
• Enjoy make-believe play “Draw” (scribble on paper); copy simple shapes and lines drawn by others
• Focus on an activity for a longer period of time
• Notice differences in size, shape and color
• Know how to seek help from trusted adults (you, a babysitter, grandma, her child care provider)
• Understand and follow simple rules— but with reminders and guidance
• Play for short periods “side by side” with another child
• “Take a turn” with another child—usually with your help
• Recognize herself in a mirror and photos
• Dress and undress herself with assistance
• Show interest in or maybe complete toilet learning

Useful Resources:

additional resources My E-Journal