Physical/Movement Development Milestones for 2 Year-Olds

By Sharon Rose

        Most babies walk between the ages of 9 - 12 months, however, it is perfectly normal for babies not to walk until they are 14 to 17 months.  By the time you experience the first year of walking with your toddler, and he turns 2 years-old, he is beginning to run.  I was so excited at the prospect of my first baby, a son, walking!  When the ‘walking’ milestone time was near, I didn’t want him out of my sight for a moment, because I didn’t want to miss seeing his first steps.  He walked at 9 months!  I was lucky to be there to see him step away from the table in our living room.  He had pulled himself into a standing position and circled the table for a month. Then, suddenly, he stepped away!  He looked as surprised as I did!  That same excited, watchful, but worrisome feeling followed with my second and third child, both daughters.  Many parents miss the moment of those very first steps becaue it could happen at any time in the milestone life of a toddler.  Parents have to get their energy level up with all the exploring and play that goes on as your toddler approaches 2 years-old.  At 2 years-old the toddling walk will start to become more confident and the running and jumping will start.  Get ready for more excitement!  Here’s what else you should expect during the year of the 2 year-old. 

Physical/Movement Milestones of the 2 Year-Old:

1.   Can feed themselves well, but still needs to work on neatness. 

2.  Beginning to run and jump. 

3.  Can walk up and down stairs holding a  rail. 

4.  Can kick a ball.

5.  Climbs onto and down from furniture without help.

6.  Draws circles and straight lines.

7.  Can build a tower of 4 blocks or more. 

8.  Throws ball overhand. 

9.  May start to use one hand more than the other. 

10. Stands on tiptoes.
11. Mostly plays beside other children, but is beginning to include other
      children in chasing games.

      As your toddler starts to use his whole body to carry out gross and fine motor skills, you can count on your 2 year-old becoming better at climbing and taking advantage of this skill to sit down in a chair and climb on other furniture. At this stage, it is a time that parents must pay even closer attention to safety issues.  Accidents happen with bookshelves that can fall over on a child, and household chemicals that are not out of reach of a toddler who can climb.  So, securely attach bookshelves, continue to use baby safety gates, and give your 2 year-old close supervision.  You’ve heard the phrase, “They are so quick!”  

      Parents are the best playmates for their 2 year-old!  This is a stage that will really take you back to your memories of being a child.  Playing with your child at the park on the swings, on the slide, and playing ball.  

Copyright, Physical/Movement Development Milestone of the 2 Year-Old, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, February 8, 2019. All rights reserved.