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

Definition
This article describes the skills and growth markers relevant to 2 year-old children.

Information

Physical and motor-skill markers:

 
• Should have the first 16 teeth (can be a wide discrepancy)  
• The height is roughly half the total height the child will attain as an adult  
• May be psychologically ready for toilet training  
• Can run with better coordination, while the stance may remain wide  
• Can kick ball without losing balance  
• Can build a tower of 6 to 7 cubes  
• Can browse through a book one page at a time  
• Able to turn a door knob  
• Can pick up objects while standing without losing balance (often occurs by 15 months, and would be concerning if you don’t see it by 2 years)

Sensory and cognitive markers:

 
• Vision fully developed  
• Vocabulary has increased to about 300 words  
• Can organize phrases of 2 to 3 words  
• Able to communicate needs such as thirst, hunger, need to use the restroom  
• Increased attention span  
• Able to clothe self in simple apparel (frequently more adept at removing clothes than putting them on)

Play recommendations:

 
• Encourage and provide the necessary space for physical activity  
• Provide safe replicas of adult tools and equipment  
• Allow the child to help around the house and participate in the daily responsibilities of the family  
• Encourage play that involves building and creativity  
• READ TO THE CHILD  
• Try to avoid watching television at this age (recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics)  
• Control the type and quantity of games played

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.