Your Toddler’s Development Milestones at 2 Years Old

If you thought going from one to two was a whirlwind, get ready for what’s next! Your little one is about to take you on a whole new parenting journey between two and three!

We think two-year-olds are judged a little unfairly with their ‘terrible twos’ label. Admittedly, they may be a touch more strong-willed than they were a year or so ago, but it’s also a wonderful year watching your child becoming their own little person.

There are fun things you can do together to encourage developmental milestones, too, simply by bringing more play into your day! So let's run through the milestones your little one might reach this year, and how to help nurture them further...

Remember – as every child is unique, so is their progress. Every child will develop at the right time for them, so don't feel disheartened if your friend’s/sister’s/dentist’s child is developing at a different pace to yours. And please take this article as a gentle guide, not a set checklist!

Running, Jumping (and Making Mischief!)

Just when you think you’ve maybe mastered this whole parenthood thing, your child will come along and humble you once again. Once your little one is on the move, walking and maybe even jumping and running, they’re only going to get faster – so you’d better keep sharpening those reaction skills!

The thing is, two-year-olds are typically confident beyond their abilities, so you can be sure of one thing: they’ll be testing their limits. As they progress this year, you’ll likely notice them getting steadier on their feet, and they’ll be looking for ways to practice climbing, swinging and even skipping, too. Eek!

Play tip for encouraging movement: Grab some paper, cut out a few big circles, lay them on the ground, and encourage your little one to jump or hop from one to another! If they're feeling confident, elongate the spaces between your makeshift stepping stones to help improve their jumping even further.

Independent Life Skills

Many two-year-olds we know subscribe to the school of thought that they know best. So prepare to butt heads on a few things that they insist on doing themselves. Breathe deeply and try to remember, even if the shoes are on the wrong feet, at least they gave it a good try.

They'll likely want to try other things independently too, like getting dressed, climbing stairs, jumping and climbing. They may also want to help you cook and clean too, if they see you doing jobs around the house.

Play tip for encouraging life skills: Let your little one help with chores! Challenge them to see how fast they can put away the spoons or how quickly they can help you put the shopping away.

Conversation and Chatter

Your little one’s vocabulary is likely to be expanding this year, picking up new words quickly and naming common things, like animals in picture books. They might now be able to string basic sentences together – helping them communicate with you more clearly. It’s lovely to understand more of what is going on in their little head!

Many two-year-olds learn through mimicking, so here's a friendly word of warning to watch your words – we’ve all heard the stories of colorful language being repeated back to parents. Whoops!
Play tip: Encourage growth in their language skills by talking to them about anything and everything! Narrate your way through daily routines like dressing, washing and mealtimes, commenting not just on physical things but feelings and senses, too! And of course, read plenty of books together, pointing between the words and pictures.

Games and Toys

Some children at this age will begin to play with other children, instead of just alongside them. It’s likely that they'll enjoy role playing, like looking after dolls or playing shops.

Kids also love chunky toys that are easy to hold and give quick, fun results. Think LEGO® DUPLO® bricks, designed to slot together easily and allow the imaginative freedom to build towers, bridges, houses and more! Toys like these also continue to develop their fine motor skills, too.

Play tip for encouraging imagination: Use prompts! Challenge them to make a pink house or a rainbow tower and help them create their masterpieces with some gentle guidance.

So there you go – your child’s second year! We hope we've left you with plenty of enthusiasm to tackle the next twelve months. You’ve got this! Remember, whatever stage they’re at is likely to be the perfect stage for them; and try to enjoy it, as they'll be onto the next one before you know it!