About Developmental milestones used to determine whether a child is developing normally for his or her age, monitor progress toward development in the areas of physical, cognitive, and social and emotional development and language acquisition and use.
Physical
At age 2, normally developing children walk alone, can pull a toy behind them while walking, and carry toys while walking. This independent walking develops into the ability to climb unassisted and then into the ability to climb by age 3. Walking develops into running and being able to bend over without falling. Fine motor skills move from scribbling on one’s own to being able to make circular, side-to-side, and up-and-down, more deliberate, marks with a crayon, and being able to hold a pencil in a writing position. The height of block towers increases, and children move from being able to turn over a container to dump out its contents to being able to unscrew lids and turn rotating handles.
Cognitive
Make-believe play takes off during this year. Normally developing children begin to play “pretend” around 24 months; this develops into playing make-believe games with dolls and stuffed animals. During this stage children move from being able to find hidden objects to being able to sort them by shape or color, and matching items. Concepts such as the idea of “two” are developing, as is the ability to work simple, 3 or 4 piece puzzles.
Social and Emotional
Around age 2, children may begin to show defiant behavior as they are becoming aware of themselves as independen beings. At the same time, they get excited about the company of others, and separation anxiety increases, and then fades. The concept of “mine” and of taking turns in games starts to develop and children start to display affection for familiar friends as well as to express a range of emotions. These displays may make parents realize their child is turning into a “real” little person, and it is this social and emotional development that can be in turn frustrating and exhilarating to witness. Children may become increasingly less flexible, objecting to major changes in routine as they become more independent and aware of likes and dislikes.
Language
Language development during this time is rapid as well. Around age 2, children use telegraphic language: simple phrases and 2-to-4 word sentences, repeating words they overhear and recognizing familiar names and objects. The ability to follow simple instructions develops into being able to follow a 2-or 3-part command and an understanding of most sentences. Pronoun use develops, and by the end of age 3, children can state their name, age, and sex. Strangers can usually understand most of a child’s words by age 3.
No two children develop alike, and they may seem to lag in one area of development only to catch up later. Developmental guidelines help to assess a major deviation from normal development, so if you have any concerns about your child’s development, check with your pediatrician.