DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES - TWO TO THREE YEARS

Gross Motor

• Climbs well
• Runs and jumps well
• Walks up and down stairs, alternating feet
• Kicks ball forward
• Throws ball overhand
• Can balance on one foot for one to two seconds
• Pedals tricycle or Big Wheel
• Bends over easily without falling

Fine Motor

• Makes vertical, horizontal, and circular strokes with pencil or crayon
• Turns book pages one at a time
• Builds a tower of more than six blocks
• Holds a pencil in writing position
• Screws and unscrews jar lids
• Turns rotating handles
• Sorts objects by shape and color
• Completes puzzles with three or four pieces
• Makes mechanical toys work

Language

• Follows a two- or three-part command (“Get the doll, and bring it to me.”)
• Asks questions
• Recognizes and identifies many common objects and pictures
• Matches an object in hand or room to picture in book
• Knows major body parts
• Uses four- and five-word sentences
• Can say name, age, and sex
• Uses pronouns (me, you, and so on) and some plurals
• Speaks well enough that strangers can understand most words

Personal and Social

• Plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people
• Understands concept of “two”
• Can wash and dry hands
• Imitates adults and playmates
• Spontaneously shows affection for familiar playmates
• Can take turns in games
• Understands concept of “mine” and “his” or “hers”

Other Characteristics and Behaviors to expect

• Expresses affection openly
• Possibly puts on some clothes that are easy to get on
• Expresses a wide range of emotions
• Separates easily from parents by age three
• Objects to major changes in routine

Talk with Your Child’s Doctor if Your Baby

• Frequently falls or has difficulty with stairs
• Persistently drools or speaks unclearly
• Is unable to build a tower of more than four blocks
• Has difficulty manipulating small objects
• Is unable to communicate in short phrases
• Doesn’t pretend play
• Fails to understand simple instructions
• Shows little interest in other children
• Has extreme difficulty separating from primary caregiver