Have you ever heard of the ‘terrible twos’? If you have ever interacted with a two-year-old child, you surely would know what I am talking about. It is that stage in a child's development which is associated with very disobedient or disorderly behaviour. As a child reaches the age of two he/she struggles to cope with the conflict of wanting to be independent and the reality of being dependent on adults.
Here are the changes that happen in a child as he/she reaches the age of two:
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Now that your baby has taken steps all on her own by the age of 1 its time for her to move ahead and reach the next level of physical development. These movements should ensure that your child’s physical development is on course:
1. Throws a ball: Between 11 to 20 months, your baby will try to roll a ball back and forth to you, initially with both hands, while sitting. This will help to strengthen the upper body and sharpen sitting skills.
2. Kicks a ball: Once your child has mastered walking she will try to kick a ball while standing still. This will help her learn to balance on one foot. By the age of six she would have mastered this skill and may even advance to kicking the ball while running up to it.
3. Pulls toys while walking: This is one of her favourite task – to drag along her toys wherever she moves. She may even start to walks backwards between 13 to 22 months.
4. Walks upstairs with help: It is a challenge for your baby to know what’s up there. She will start to climb up tables, bed, etc. The challenge of climbing will make her begin to walk up the stairs between 13 to 26 months. Of course, she will need your help!
5. Stands on tiptoe: Your baby might stand on tiptoe to get that extra height to reach out to something. Isn’t she smart!
6.Begins to run: This is the time when you are sure to shed some weight. By the age of two as your baby masters walking and balancing, she will probably be able to run without bumping into things. She will even stop when necessary – and that’s certainly not when you want to catch her.
7. Drinks from a cup, eats with a spoon: Until the age of two your baby may not be able to hold a cup consistently. But that is not going to discourage her from holding one and drink from it. As her grip and grasp strengthen she may start using a spoon between 13 to 18 months. Drinking from a cup and eating with a spoon will help increase her muscle strength and coordination. But remember, she is going to be a messy eater for months to come!
8. Undresses or takes off simple clothes: You will have to chase a naked toddler running around the house. Your baby will learn to undress simple clothes before the age of two.
9. Scribbles: You have a budding artist in your home. She will start making straight lines and circles. And yes. The walls are going to be her first canvas.
10. Holds pencil with fisted grasp: As your baby’s fine motor skills develop she will try to hold her crayon or pencil with a fist like a dagger and move it across the paper using movement from the shoulder. Pencil grasp is established correctly only later as your child’s shoulder and arm muscles get stronger and steadier. Forcing your toddler to hold the pencil the right way at this stage does more harm than good by causing fine motor problems.
Warning signs: When should you worry
Walking is considered delayed if it has not been achieved by the 18 months and is definitely a sign of worry. Usually the upper limit for a child to start walking is 12 months. If there are no signs of it even beyond the stipulated time it is a reason to worry and there is a need to examine the child for developmental difficulties.
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
1. After the babbling and cooing by the age of one, your baby starts using single words. She will soon pick up more words speaking at least 10-15 words or so by the age of 18 months and at least 50 words by the age of two.
2. She can understand most of the languages spoken around even if she is not able to speak them. As she reaches the age of two she will be able to talk in sentences comprising of at least three or four words.
3. Babies have an innate ability to learn a second language. The best way to do it is by hearing people around them use it. Indian kids are usually exposed to more than one language. They will pick up words from the various languages spoken around them thought at this age they are not able to differentiate between them.
Warning signs: When should you worry
Consult your child’s paediatrician if your child prefers gestures over vocalisation for communication, has trouble imitating sounds by 18 months and has difficulty understanding simple verbal requests.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
A range of skills and actions that your child performs can ensure proper cognitive development. Till the age of two the thoughts and understandings of your child are limited to things she can directly perceive or do. Watch out for these signs and skill during the second year of your child’s life:
1. By the age of two your toddler knows ordinary things and can point to things or pictures when asked. She will even know names of few body parts. Ask her and she will promptly point to them.
2. As she begins to form mental images for things and actions, she is able to perform mental trial-and-error. She can now sort shapes and colours.
3. She will respond when her name is called. She can identify familiar people.
4. She can follow simple instructions. She will also try to copy simple actions. She gets more expressive and uses appropriate gestures to express herself.
5. Pretend playing: She will try to enact day’s activities in her play. She starts pretend playing like feeding the doll, combing doll’s hair, putting the doll to sleep, etc.
6. Your child at this age has ‘implicit’ memory. She learns and remembers things that she is experiencing. Long-lasting conscious memory of specific events is established after 18 months.
Warning sign: When should you worry
Your child not recognising common objects and not using gestures such as pointing or waving bye-bye can be an alarming sign of developmental delay. Also watch out if she is unable to follow simple instructions and if she does not imitate actions or words.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Your child is now ready to start interacting and developing meaningful relationships with others. These are the developments you might notice as she begins to step out and interact more often with people outside home:
1. Playing with other children: Your child is beginning to make friends. She now doesn’t have to play alone. She will learn turn taking games
2. Develops affection: Your little one is affectionate to people that she is at ease with. Her fear of strangers decreases but would still be hesitant to go to them.
3. Imitates and copies: They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Your toddler will try to flatter you by imitating your actions. Flattering shows that she wants to be like you. So be wise with your actions and words.
Warning signs:
Your child not engaging in social games and not interacting with others during play could signal a social developmental delay.
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Your two year old can be a storehouse of emotional ups and downs. Her behaviours can be extreme – aggressive or calm, obliging or stubborn, etc. Just when her cheerfulness and obedience makes you feel on cloud nine she might start throwing up tantrums and drive you up the wall. One moment she can be happy and then quite the opposite the very next. Don’t fret. It’s all a part of her growing up. She is struggling to cope with the conflict of wanting to be independent and the reality of being dependent on you.
2. Your little one is not so little anymore! She is becoming more independent but at the same time expects guidance from you. She needs your comfort and reassurance.
3. Your toddler will test her limits as she goes around exploring the world. Even a simple task completed is a great achievement for her. And she will certainly like to be praised for it.
4. Your tiny tot will start using the word ‘no’. No points for guessing where she learnt it from. As a parent you would say ‘no’ to every mini adventure she embarks on to protect her. Negative emotions start to be seen in her at this stage. She may have temper tantrums. Stopping her from seeking her adventures can make her upset and angry.
5. Your child will show rebellious behaviour. She will start doing things that are prohibited and will get angry when stopped from doing so.
6. Separation anxiety peaks between 1 to 1½ months and usually eases by the age of 2 years. Your child will become upset and cry when you leave.
7. Children at the age of two have short attention span. Changes from routine can be upsetting to them.
Warning signs:
Few signs that should ring a bell are:
Your child not acknowledging or reacting when separated from you
Out of the norm aggressive and unruly behaviour
This article has been verified by Dr Mona P Gajre, Professor of Paediatrics & Head – Learning Disability Clinic, Lokmanya Tilak General Hospital, Mumbai.
You may also like to read:
Developmental milestone: Has your baby started walking?
Developmental milestones: Should you worry about your child’s delayed speech?
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