Two-Year-Old Developmental Milestones

During toddlerhood, every child will experience a pattern of development as unique as his own fingerprint. Not every child will obtain each physical, social or linguistic skill according to the typical "schedule". However, developmental milestones can help parents, caregivers and pediatricians identify risk factors for developmental delays and other conditions.

Milestones for two-year-olds vary tremendously between children. At two years old, my own toddler was speaking ten-word sentences and holding clear, intelligible conversations-- but she was completely incapable of dressing herself, jumping or walking up stairs. My neighbor's two-year-old's milestones were very different: at twenty-four months, he could run, hop, skip and swing, but he rarely uttered a sentence longer than one or two words.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most toddlers will reach the following two-year-old developmental milestones by 24 months of age.

Gross Motor Milestones
These skills involve the large groups of muscles in the arms, legs and torso.

-Walks well
-Kicks a ball
-Runs
-Walks up and down stairs with help

Fine Motor Milestones
These skills utilize the small groups of muscles found in the hands and fingers.

-Scribbles well
-Builds a tower with four or more blocks
-Empties a box or bucket by turning it over
-May be right-handed or left-handed

Language Milestones
A two-year-old's language development may depend on her personality, cognitive abilities and level of interest in communication.

-Points to a picture in a book when it is named
-Recognizes names of many objects, people and places
-Follows instructions
-Speaks in 2-4 word sentences

Cognitive Milestones
A toddler's cognitive skills reflect his learning abilities and interests.

-Finds a hidden object
-Sorts objects by shape, size and color
-Plays make-believe, roleplays
-Recognizes self as an individual

Social Milestones
Some children are naturally very shy or social. However, most will toddlers develop several basic social milestones by age two.

-Demonstrates increasing independence
-Imitates other people's behavior and speech
-Enjoys interacting with other children
-Shows defiant behavior toward parents and caregivers.

Is my child behind?

My daughter's pediatrician assured me that most two-year-olds will reach one or two milestones later than average. A child who is focused on verbal learnning may demonstrate less interest in physical activities. Still, parents should not ignore warning signs of a developmental delay. If your two-year-old is lagging behind his peers on a single milestone, don't sweat it-- but do mention it to her doctor.

If your child seems significantly delayed in several areas, contact his health care provider immediately for a developmental evaluation. Significant delays may signal an underlying condition, such as cerebral palsy or an autism-spectrum disorder. Early intervention with physical therapy or special education may minimize your child's long-term challenges.