Reaching Milestones: 24 to 36 Months

All toddlers have their own timetable, but you can watch for certain developments in your 2-year-old. Celebrate with your child as he reaches or nears these milestones.

Cognitive

• Completes puzzles of three or four pieces (20)
• Sorts objects by shape and color (20, 1) 
• Knows names of body parts (1)
• Finds things hidden under two or more layers (1)
• Finishes sentences in familiar books, songs, and nursery rhymes (1)
• Follows two- and three-part commands (20)
• Figures out simple mechanical toys (20)

Motor

• Learns to kick a ball (20) 
• Jumps (20)
• Walks up and down stairs with alternating feet, while holding on (20)
• Pedals a tricycle (20)
• Throws overhand (1) 
• May be able to stand on one leg (20)
• Stacks blocks three or higher (20)
• Unzips large zippers (20)
• Turns handles; opens lids (20)
• Uses a cup with one hand (20)
• Begins to hold a crayon more like an adult‘s finger positioning (20)
• Most are potty-trained by age 3 (17)
• Runs with more coordination (20)

Communication

• Likely knows 300 words by age 3 (20)
• Speaks in sentences of three to four or more words (20, 13)
• Usually speaks without repeating words or syllables (13)
• Imitates most adult speech sounds but still mispronounces many words (20)
• Probably chatters continuously (20)
• Speaks clearly enough to be understood by strangers (20, 13)
• Tells stories (20)
• Follows many basic rules of grammar (20)
• Uses the words “I,” “me,” “mine,” and “you,” though not always perfectly (20)

Social

• Pretend play mimics real-life emotions 
• Shows affection for familiar playmates (20) 
• Plays with other children (for example, chase), rather than just side-by-side play (1)
• Employs basic turn-taking (20)
• Understands the concept of possessives (mine, his, hers) (20)
• Quick to show emotions, especially happiness and frustration (20)
• Shows defiant behavior (doing things after being told not to) (1)
• Dislikes major changes in routine (1)
• Very responsive to people (watching them, imitating)(20,1)