You know the famous saying, “Terrible Two’s” and your little baby has finally reached it. I would like to be the first to congratulate you and I would like to mention that the “Two’s” really aren’t that terrible. Sure there are a lot of things that are happening but from both personal experience as a mom and as a teacher hearing reports from parents, the two’s are terrific, it’s the three’s that cause all the trouble.

So for don’t sweat the two’s, and when you get to the three’s just smile and think, “Well, it could be worse, she could be a teenager.”

I’m not saying all teens are difficult but I just wanted to illustrate the point that every stage in development can be difficult, be it 2, 3, 13 or 43.

But enough with all the terrible stuff, let’s look at how far your little boy or girl has come along and go over a few developmental milestones that you should be seeing before or around your child’s second birthday.

Please bear in mind my long rant about “range of normalcy” and remember that when we talk about any developmental milestone, we are talking about an average age when that milestone occurs.

• Improved balance and mobility. He should be able to walk by himself without any support. This includes being able to walk backwards and also being able to bend down and pick up toys from floor without falling or stumbling.
• Is able to manipulate objects and use basic puzzles.
• Should be able to label things such as parts of her body (up to 6), and pictures that she sees in books. Cat, car, tree, etc.
• Is more aware of the actions of those around him. This begins with imitation play and also wanting to help out in activities such as cleaning. One activity that I always gave my kids both at home and in my class was to simply wash a table. They loved it and I would have regular arguments in my class over whose turn it was to wash the table.
• Able to feed herself and can use both a spoon and a fork.
• Able to build a tower of blocks that are 3 high.
• Enjoys dancing to music
• Able to walk up and down stairs with support.
• Should be able to throw a ball
• Is able to turn doorknobs

Over the following year you will begin to see many other milestones occurring and will also start to see an interest in potty training, if you don’t already. Remember to look at the two’s, not as something terrible but as something wondrous as your child learns and grows, a journey that you always look back at and wonder, “Why on earth did I want to get through it so quickly.”

Trust me, take the time and splash in a few mud puddles during that journey.

Sirena Van Schaik

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