Two Year Old Develomental Milestones

So, you’re two years old. Want to make sure you are up to date on development? Check these out from the AAP. My editorial comments about Larien are in parentheses.
Movement

• Walks alone


• Pulls toys behind her while walking


• Carries large toy or several toys while walking


• Begins to run


• Stands on tiptoe


• Kicks a ball


• Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted


• Walks up and down stairs holding on to support

Hand and Finger Skills

• Scribbles spontaneously (My walls and tables are proof of this.)


• Turns over container to pour out contents (Does an entire tub of Legos count?)


• Builds tower of four blocks or more (She built one ten blocks or more tall just today.)


• Might use one hand more frequently than the other (She’s definitely favoring her right hand.)

Language

• Points to object or picture when it's named for him


• Recognizes names of familiar people, objects and body parts


• Says several single words (by 15 to 18 months)


• Uses simple phrases (by 18 to 24 months) (She uses sentences.)


• Uses two- to four-word sentences


• Follows simple instructions (She can follow two to three step instructions.)


• Repeats words overheard in conversation (Try hieroglyphics with my toddler.)

Cognitive

• Finds objects even when hidden under two or three covers (She knows where every Care Bear is, even if it is at the end of the bed under all her covers.)


• Begins to sort by shapes and colors


• Begins make-believe play (Yes, by herself and with Inwe.)

Social

• Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children (She is a mirror to my soul.)


• Increasingly aware of herself as separate from others (Favorite phrase: “No I’m not. I’m Audrey.”)


• Increasingly enthusiastic about company of other children (Yes, at the parent-teacher conference at Inwe’s school on Monday, she made two friends from the 3 year old class in no time at all.)

Emotional

• Demonstrates increasing independence (“I wanna do it.” Favorite phrase number two.)


• Begins to show defiant behavior (She pleads the fifth amendment.)


• Episodes of separation anxiety increase toward midyear then fade (She walks away from me easier than Inwe ever did.)