This article describes the skills and growth targets of 2 year-old children.

Physical and motor-skill markers:

• Should have the first 16 teeth (can be a wide variation of the actual number of teeth)
• The height is roughly half the total height the child will attain as an adult
• May be psychologically ready for toilet training
• Can run with better coordination, while the stance may remain wide
• Can kick ball without losing balance
• Can build a tower of 6 to 7 cubes
• Can browse through a book one page at a time
• Able to turn a door knob
• Can pick up objects while standing, without losing balance (often occurs by 15 months, and would be concerning if you don't see it by 2 years)

Sensory and cognitive markers:

• Vision fully developed
• Vocabulary has increased to about 50 to300 words (healthy children demonstrate wide variations)
• Can organize phrases of 2 to 3 words
• Able to communicate needs such as thirst, hunger, need to use the restroom
• Increased attention span
• Able to clothe self in simple clothes (frequently more adept at removing clothes than putting them on)

Play recommendations:

• Encourage and provide the necessary space for physical activity
• Provide safe replicas of adult tools and equipment
• Allow the child to help around the house and participate in the daily responsibilities of the family
• Encourage play that involves building and creativity
• READ TO THE CHILD
• Try to avoid watching television at this age (recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Parents should control both the content and quantity of television viewing. Limit television viewing to less than 3 hours per day, and preferably 1 hour or less. Avoid programming with violent content. Re-direct the child to reading or play activities
• Control the type and quantity of games played