Northwest Spokane Pediatrics

Child Development

Weeks


What should I expect from my 2-year-old?

Behaviors

  • Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children
  • Increasingly aware of herself as separate from others
  • Increasingly enthusiastic about company of other children

Neurodevelopmental

  • Finds objects even when hidden under two or three covers
  • Begins to sort by shapes and colors
  • Begins make-believe play
  • Points to object or picture when it's named for him
  • Recognizes names of familiar people, objects and body parts
  • Says several single words (by 15 to 18 months)
  • Uses simple phrases (by 18 to 24 months)
  • Uses two- to four-word sentences
  • Follows simple instructions
  • Repeats words overheard in conversation

Physical

  • Walks alone
  • Pulls toys behind her while walking
  • Carries large toy or several toys while walking
  • Begins to run
  • Stands on tiptoe
  • Kicks a ball
  • Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted
  • Walks up and down stairs holding on to support.

Nutrition

Family meals are important for your baby and your family as a whole. Your child should enjoy the benifits of good nutrition. Avoid sugar sweetened beverages and most juices. An occasional whole fruit juice is ok but avoid this as being a staple of thier diet. Whole milk can now be changed to 2%.

Safety Tips

Avoid Choking and Suffocation
  • Keep plastic bags, balloons, and small hard objects out of reach.
  • Cut foods into small pieces.
  • Store toys in a chest without a dropping lid.
Prevent Fires and Burns
  • Keep hot appliances and cords out of reach.
  • Don't cook with your child at your feet.
  • Keep hot foods and liquids out of reach.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach.
  • Turn your water heater down to 120°F (50°C).
Pedestrian Safety
  • Hold onto your child when you are near traffic.
  • Provide a play area where balls and riding toys cannot roll into the street.
Prevent Drowning
  • Never leave an infant or toddler in a bathtub alone—NEVER.
  • Continuously watch your child around any water, including toilets and buckets. Keep toilet seats down, never leave water in an unattended bucket, and store buckets upside down.
Avoid Falls
  • Check the stability of drawers, furniture, and lamps. Avoid placing furniture (on which children may climb) near windows or on balconies.
  • Install window guards on windows above the first floor (unless this is against your local fire codes.)
  • Make sure windows are closed or have screens that cannot be pushed out.
  • Don't underestimate your child's ability to climb.
Poisons
  • Keep all medicines, vitamins, cleaning fluids, etc. locked away.
  • Put the poison center number on all phones.
  • Purchase all medicines in containers with safety caps.
  • Do not store poisons in drink bottles, glasses, or jars.

RED FLAGS

  • Cannot walk by 18 months
  • Fails to develop a mature heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking, or walks exclusively on his toes
  • Does not speak at least 15 words by 18 months
  • Does not use two-word sentences by age 2
  • By 15 months, does not seem to know the function of common household objects (brush, telephone, bell, fork, spoon)
  • Does not imitate actions or words by the end of this period
  • Does not follow simple instructions by age 2
  • Cannot push a wheeled toy by age 2