Happy 2nd birthday to your child! No longer a baby, your mini-me is more of a little person. Here’s a look at what a child typically does at 2 years of age:

Social / Emotional Milestones

• Notices when others are hurt or upset; may pause or look sad when someone is crying
• Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation

Language / Communication Milestones

• Points to things in a picture book when you ask where they are—“Where is the bear?”
• Says at least 2 words together, like “More milk.”
• Points to at least 2 body parts when you ask him or her to show you
• Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, such as blowing a kiss or nodding yes

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

• Holds something in one hand while using the other hand (holding a container and taking the lid off, for example)
• Tries to use switches, knobs or buttons on a toy
• Plays with more than 1 toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate

Movement / Physical Milestones

• Kicks a ball
• Runs
• Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
• Eats with a spoon

Concerned About Your Child’s Development?

All children are different and develop at their own pace. If your child has not yet reached some of these milestones, it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.

Still, you know your child best. And developmental delays or disorders are most successfully treated when caught early.

If you have concerns, don’t wait. Talk with the healthcare provider if you think your child:

• Is not meeting milestones for his or her age
• Has lost skills he or she once had, or is not doing something you’d expect him or her to be doing

Or if you have concerns about:

• How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts or moves
• Other things your child does

SOURCE: These developmental milestones, established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, provide a general idea of what most children (75% or more) do at this age.

See also...

• Milestones by age 2– from the CDC

This message is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have about your health or medical condition, your breastfeeding issues and your infant's health. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you have read in our emails, webpages or other electronic communications.

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