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Developmental milestones record - 2 years

Alternative Names

Growth milestones for children - 2 years; Normal childhood growth milestones - 2 years; Childhood growth milestones - 2 years

Information

Physical and motor skill markers:

  • Able to turn a door knob
  • Can browse through a book one page at a time
  • Can build a tower of 6 to 7 cubes
  • Can kick a ball without losing balance
  • Can pick up objects while standing, without losing balance (often occurs by 15 months, and would be cause for concern if you don't see it by 2 years)
  • Can run with better coordination, although the stance may still be wide
  • May be ready for toilet training
  • Should have the first 16 teeth (the actual number of teeth can vary widely)
  • At 24 months, they are about half their final adult height

Sensory and cognitive markers:

  • Able to put on simple clothes without help (often better at removing clothes than putting them on)
  • Able to communicate needs such as thirst, hunger, need to use the restroom
  • Can organize phrases of 2 - 3 words
  • Understand 2-step command ("give me the ball and then get your shoes")
  • Increased attention span
  • Vision fully developed
  • Vocabulary has increased to about 50 - 300 words (healthy children's vocabulary can vary widely)

Play recommendations:

  • Allow the child to help around the house and participate in the daily family responsibilities.
  • Encourage and provide the necessary space for physical activity.
  • Encourage play that involves building and creativity.
  • Provide safe copies of adult tools and equipment.
  • Read to the child.
  • Try to avoid watching television at this age (recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics).
  • Control both the content and quantity of television viewing. Limit television viewing to fewer than 3 hours per day, and preferably 1 hour or less. Avoid programming with violent content. Redirect the child to reading or play activities.
  • Control the type of games played.

References

Feigelman S. The second year. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 9.

Review Date: 1/26/2010
Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, CPNP, private practice, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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