2 - 3 Year Olds

During the third year of life, toddlers tend to gain about 4 pounds (1,800 grams) in weight and grow about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) in height.

They're extremely active and mobile, and learning in very physical ways. These toddlers are sleeping less than they did in the year before, running around and exploring their world, and picking up new skills, like riding a tricycle.

Your toddler's appetite may fluctuate greatly at this stage. This is very common. If your child is active, happy, and engaged, and you're providing a variety of nutritious foods, he or she is probably getting the nutrients needed and there's likely no cause for concern.

Physical Milestones

• Child will be able to jump with both feet together.
• Child will be able to hold “fat” crayons and scribble on paper.
• Child will be able to run and play chase.
• Child will be able to ride a tricycle.
• Child will be able to dress himself or herself.
• Child will be able to climb.
• Child will start potty training.
• Child can feed himself or herself.
• All primary teeth should have emerged.

Learning Milestones

• Child will be able to understand the differences in sizes and textures. He or she will be able to differentiate between large and small, short and tall, soft and hard.
• Child will be able to say up to 50 words and make small sentences.
• Child will be able to name up to five different body parts.
• Child can tell you his or her name, as well as be able to identify some colors when asked.
• Child loves to engage in pretend and make believe play.

Emotional Milestones

• Child may be hard on himself or herself if he or she makes mistakes.
• Child starts to label feelings, such as happy, sad, mad.
• Child knows what he or she likes and dislikes.
• Child may start having temper tantrums.
• Child is interested in playing, or being around, other children his or her own age.
• Children this age tend to excel and flourish with a routine.

Tips for Toddlers

• Baby-proof your house again. Two-year-olds are taller and more skillful at opening doors and getting into mischief.
  
• Read aloud to children every day. Encourage toddlers to look at books with large pictures and sturdy pages. Simple story lines are best.
  
• Try to expand a 2-year-old's knowledge of words and sentence structure. Let her hear the correct word order, but don't demand that she imitate you. For example, if she says "more juice," say "Anna wants more orange juice."
  
• Encourage them to identify noises like vacuum, tap water, dogs barking, thunder, airplane, and car.
  
• Let toddlers help you with simple chores such as picking up toys or putting clothes in the laundry basket. Encourage them to name things that you are using.
  
• Add new information to what a child is saying. "Yes that's a blanket, a soft, warm blanket."
  
• Give toddlers clear and simple choices. "Do you want to drink milk or juice? Do you want to wear green or blue socks?"
  
• Know how to handle a temper tantrum:
  1. don't yell or hit the child,
  2. remain calm,
  3. talk in soothing tone,
  4. put your hand gently on child's arm if possible.
  
• Provide newspaper, flattened grocery sacks, and computer scraps for drawing and painting. Color books, workbooks, and ditto sheets are not recommended.
  
• Avoid making models of clay or drawing pictures for children to copy. They learn more by working out their own ideas, and adult-induced items can actually hinder learning.
  
• Do not expect toddlers to share or take turns. Right now they are focused on learning how to physically handle themselves and on learning to talk. Learning to share will come later.
  
• Provide spaces where toddlers can spend time alone. An old cardboard box or a blanket over a card table works great.
  
• Avoid pressuring children to be right or left handed. A few 2-year- olds will begin to show preference for one hand, but many children will continue to use both hands for a few years.
• Provide safe outlets for physical activity and space exploration like small steps, boxes, barrels, tires, pulling and pushing toys, ride-on and ride-in toys.
  
• Provide opportunities for learning about cause and effect by giving toddlers many opportunities to fill, dump, collect, gather, give, hide, and seek.
  
• Play "parade" or "follow the leader." Sing sequential songs like "Old MacDonald" to explain sequences.
  
• Encourage verbal skills by giving simple directions like "Close the door, please" or "Would you pick up the doll?"
  
• Encourage a toddler's love for imitation by teaching fingerplays and songs. Play "you are a mirror." Stand or sit facing the children and have them copy everything you do. Reverse roles and let the child lead while you mirror the actions.
  
• Encourage sand, mud, clay, and water play. Toddlers enjoy messy play and learn a great deal from mixing, sifting, pouring, stirring, and shaping.