Childhood Development

Milestones ahead

Two-year olds – twice as delightful, twice as difficult

Parenting your little one through their second year of life takes lots of patience, support from family and friends, and a good sense of humor. Here are some highlights of the time between 12 and 24 months:

18 month milestones
24 month milestones

By the end of 18 months, your toddler can:

Listen to stories and looks at pictures
Experience a reduced appetite as the growth rate slows
Run, but may be uncoordinated, and may fall frequently
Walk up stairs, holding on with one hand
Take off some clothing items, such as socks or gloves
Feed him or herself

By the end of the 24 months, your toddler will most likely:

Have about 16 teeth (there is a wide variation)
Be psychologically ready for toilet training
Walk on his or her own
Start to run
Kick a ball
Have a vocabulary of 50 to 300 words (varies widely)
Start to form 2- to 4-word sentences
Make a tower of more than 4 blocks
Enjoy “pretend” play
Show growing independence
Be able to turn a door knob
Scribble with a crayon
Begin to sort objects by shapes and colors
Carry one or more toys while walking

Changes to See at Age Three

Ready for everything

Inquisitive and often pleasant, pushing at the boundaries, ready to make friends, and keeping you busy as always, they keep growing up fast! By the end of 36 months, your toddler should:

Climb well
Walk up and down stairs
Pedal a tricycle
Turn book pages one at a time
Build a tower of more than 6 blocks
Hold a pencil in a writing position
Recognize and know the words for most common objects
Use 4- and 5-word sentences
Complete puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces
Match objects in a room with pictures in a book
Express affection for playmates
Not like major changes in routine
Understand positional relationships (on, under, above)
Separate easily from you
Have started the potty training process

Potty Training

Between ages 2 and 3 years, most children learn to use the potty by themselves

It often takes boys longer to potty train than girls. Usually, your child will let you know when he's ready to leave the diapers behind. Signs that your child is ready to potty train:

Knows the words for urine and stool
Stays dry for longer periods of time than before (especially after a nap)
Physically able to pull down his pants and get on and off a toilet seat
Upset by having on a wet or dirty diaper
Likes to watch you or your husband use the bathroom
Willing to sit on the toilet or potty

If your child doesn't seem ready, just give him more time. Potty training takes lots of patience. Having a battle-of-the-wills isn't productive for mom or for baby. As always, speak to your pediatrician if you are concerned