The Growing Child: 2-Year-Olds

Weight. Average gain of about 4 to 6 pounds per year.

Height. Average growth of about 2 to 3 inches each year.

Walks and runs well

Jumps off the ground with both feet.

Starts to throw, kick, and catch balls

Climbs on playground structures

Turns doorknobs and lids

Uses a fork

By 30 months, takes some clothes off by themselves, like a jacket or pants

By 3 years, puts on some clothes by themselves, like a jacket or pants

All 20 teeth appear by 3 years old

Appetite decreases greatly

Has developed right- or left-handedness by 3 years old

Turns pages in a book, one at a time

Has good thumb and finger control

Can drink through a straw

Starts to have bladder and bowel control

May still take an afternoon nap

May sleep 11 to 14 hours in a 24-hour period (including naps)

Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we”

Says about 50 words by 30 months

By 30 months, says 2 or more words, with 1 action word, like “doggie sleep”

Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”

By 3 years, starts to put 3 words together (subject, verb, object), for example, "Me want ball."

Says first name, when asked

Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions like “Where is mommy or daddy?”

Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time

Knows at least 1 color

Stays away from touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn them

Uses things to pretend

Follows two-step instructions

Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something

Shows independence from parents

Continues to play alongside others and sometimes plays with them

Shows you what they can do by saying, “Look at me!”

Follows simple tasks when told, like helping clean up toys

Temper tantrums may continue

Helps to get themselves dressed and undressed

By age 3, calms down within 10 minutes after you leave them, like at a childcare drop off

Let your child have a choice when possible. For example, say, "Do you want a banana or an orange?"

Let your child help around the house, such as dusting, sweeping, or sorting laundry.

Read picture and story books with your child.

Help your child learn to wash their hands.

Let your child try to take off their own clothes and put on some simple clothes, such as clothes without buttons or zippers.

Let your child play with blocks, balls, crayons, or clay. Supervise play so that your child doesn't put objects in their mouth or ears.

Sing songs, play children's music, and dance with your child.

Look at family pictures with your child and tell a story.

Make cut-outs in a large cardboard box to pretend it is a house or car.

Use toys during bath time, or have fun pouring water from one cup to another.

Let your child talk on a toy phone, or say a few words while you are talking on a real phone.

Play "follow the leader" games.

Teach body parts while dressing and bathing.

Let your child put stickers on paper to make a design.

Count things out loud to teach your child about numbers, such as count eggs in the carton, stairs as you go up, or fingers and toes.

Play with soap bubbles.

Use toys that sort shapes, such as a circle, square, or triangle.

Give your child a doll or teddy bear.

Read your child a book of rhymes.

Give your child a toy to ride.

Limit TV and other screen time (tablets, phones) to no more than 1 hour a day.

Provide social experiences outside the home.