Developmental Milestones for 2-Year-Olds
When it comes time to purchase a toy for a 2-year-old, it’s important that you pay attention to what kind of toy it is you’re purchasing. After all, not any toy will do. The best gifts for 2-year-olds will serve their learning needs as they achieve developmental milestones during their second year.
Read on to determine what the best gifts for 2-year-olds are based on their developmental milestones, ranging from movement and coordination to social and emotional skills.
More Movement
Once a child is 2 years old, his or her movement skills are much more developed than they have been up until this point. The average 2-year-old is able to walk, run, climb, and even stand on his or her tiptoes.
For this reason, some of the best gifts for 2-year-olds are balls that can be kicked or thrown. Additionally, because 2-year-olds can climb, jungle gym sets make for a fun outdoor play set. Since 2-year-olds are fairly stable walkers, walking toys are also a great choice for them, including toy push vacuums and shopping carts.
Coordination Improvement
By the time a child is 2 years old, he or she has control over their wrists, fingers, and palms. This makes holding objects easy, even if the child’s grip is still somewhat awkward.
Because of this coordination development, 2-year-olds take a lot more pleasure in art projects than children of a younger age. Even if a 2-year-old is not yet drawing within the lines, scribbling makes for a fun play time.
Furthermore, with these more developed hand skills, 2-year-olds can begin playing with blocks and building materials. This can include Legos, wooden blocks, and stackable shapes.
Language Development
Children start stringing together longer, more complex sentences when they are 2 years old. They will also start learning pronouns and repeating much of what they hear.
With this surge in language development, books become an important toy for helping develop 2-year-olds’ vocabulary and understanding. Additionally, toys that talk can also be a great way for little ones to learn the names of animals, letters, shapes, and colors.
Social & Thinking Skills
Many parents find a lot of joy in raising 2-year-olds, as that is the age at which social and emotional development occurs, as well as a growing imagination. Two-year-olds often greatly enjoy playing make-believe games, which can make toys such as children’s kitchen sets and mechanic stations ideal options for them. Your child may even start socializing with other 2-year-olds and start to learn about building relationships.
If you notice that your 2-year-old is particularly interested in a specific subject, chances are that there is a toy that can help facilitate your child’s education in that field while relying on his or her creativity and imagination. For example, if your child loves to pretend to be a doctor, a children’s doctor bag with plastic medicine pieces is an option. If your child enjoys playing with food, you can purchase a set of plastic foods and a mini kitchenette.
Problem Solving
Problem solving is another milestone for 2-year-olds, making things like wood puzzles and snap-together blocks a favorite amongst this age group. Toys that rely on the child to use sorting skills are another popular option.
If your child is allowed to enjoy screen time on a television, look for programs that engage with the child’s problem solving skills. Similarly, with computer or tablet games, look for toys that are educational and allow your little one to participate in the fun.
Safety Precautions
No matter what kind of toy you’re purchasing for your 2-year-old, you always want to be sure that they are not a safety hazard. Purchase toys that are large enough that a 2-year-old could not choke on it. Checking to make sure that a toy is non-toxic is also essential. If a toy contains batteries, ensure that they are non-accessible to the child and that all screws are secure.
Additionally, because 2-year-olds have a tendency to put just about everything in their mouths, it is a good idea to regularly clean your little one’s toys, especially if they have fallen on the ground or been brought around to public spaces, such as restaurants or libraries.
Resources— WebMD, Kids Health
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