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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
Early Years
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Every morning, my youngest, Jack, who just turned 2, merrily waves bye-bye when his big sister is dropped off at school. He loves Thomas and Dora, and his favorite mode of transportation involves running, jumping and falling, in that order. He manages to keep a smile on his face most of the day, except when he runs out of Teddy Grahams and his world suddenly turns upside down. However, the trauma and the tears abruptly end when he's distracted by a toy that spontaneously comes to life in mom's hand. Following in the footsteps of 2 older siblings, I'm confident that Jack is hitting the developmental milestones appropriate for his age. These days I just smile when I hear about babies potty-trained at 6 months and reading by 3. Not to say that these things don't happen, it's just that stories like these can confuse new parents about exactly what is realistic to expect from their own child. When a child turns 2, it may seem like your "baby" has suddenly disappeared. He's undoubtedly busier and more independent than ever before, but there's still plenty of time to enjoy his company without the worry of rushing down an idealistic path toward development. Here's a quick look at what your 2-year-old should be able to do, according to pediatrician Desmond Lew of Universal Care Medical Group in Anaheim: Off and running The age range for gross motor skill milestones can vary greatly in the first few years. Walking, for example, can occur anywhere between 9 and 15 months, but by 2 years of age, children should be walking steadily and running with momentum. Some children even demonstrate a "high guard gate," with their arms raised in front of them as they run. Lew describes this position as a self-protection mechanism to block inevitable falls. Even though your child is gaining on his coordination, don't expect to start practicing baseball or soccer techniques yet. Your 2-year-old is more likely to stop a ball with his body than actually catch it with his hands. (It's important to note that as large muscle development progresses, parents need a lot of diligence when it comes to in-home safety, since fear is not a deterrent for 2-year-olds who can now climb up chairs and tables with ease.) Fine motor skills are only just starting to take shape in 2-year-olds. During playtime, you might notice your son stacking and lining up his blocks. If he's a budding artist, pass the crayons and be content with simple scribbles. He may be able to draw a horizontal line if you demonstrate first, but don't expect anything as sophisticated as a circle. Strike up a conversation By the time a child reaches 2 years of age, the pointing and showing method of communication should be dwindling as words become the primary way of getting a message across. In fact, the average 2-year-old should have a vocabulary of approximately 50 words. (If they have a vocabulary of 10 words or less, talk to your doctor.) The words may not all be totally intelligible, but a parent should recognize a specific meaning for each "attempt." In addition to being able to use words to express themselves, your child should be able to understand and follow simple 2-step instructions: "Go to your room and get your shoes." Making friends Maybe your 2-year-old is learning to communicate better, but don't expect him to suddenly be conversing with a peer over a friendly game of dress-up. While children this age recognize friends and start to form preferences for particular individuals, they are still very egocentric, explains Dr. Lew. Parallel play, which means they play near each other without really interacting, is the best way to describe the way 2-year-olds socialize. And don't expect a toddler to share. They still see everything with a sense of permanence, which means that when their favorite toy finds its way into the hands of a friend, they don't anticipate getting it back - ever. Tune down the tantrums One of the fundamental milestones many 2-year-olds reach is the temper-tantrum stage. Tantrums are the easiest way for a resourceful little child to exert a lot of power. At this age, anything can spur a tantrum worthy of an academy award, but the most challenging ones parents must deal with are those offered up in a crowded public place when time is short. Whether it's disappointment over buying a birthday present for another child, or passing up the candy bars conveniently stocked at the checkout line in the supermarket, these are the tantrums that tempt parents to "give in." But Lew advises parents to be strong and hold their ground. "The key is to not give in," says Lew. "They're learning how to manipulate their environment, and if they're rewarded for throwing temper tantrums, it will only get worse." Time for the potty Somewhere during the second year most children will learn to use the potty, but the process depends on each child's neurological development, says Dr. Lew. Typically, girls potty train earlier than boys, and many children get the routine down between 2 1/2 and 3 years of age. However, some children's nervous system and bladder control don't mature until they are closer to 4. So now that you know what's realistic to expect from your 2-year-old, let out that sigh of relief, stock up on the diapers and let your child be himself. "Parents get too stressed out worrying that their child must reach particular milestones. Enjoy them now because by the time they are 5 or 6, they will be so different," says Lew. Michele Piazzoni is a freelance writer and mother of 3 living in Folsom. To reach her: mpiazzoni@hotmail.com. Getting Started By Michele Piazzoni • How much TV is your toddler tuned into? In a recent study involving more than 2,500 children, researchers discovered that the likelihood of developing attention problems at age 7 was closely related to the number of hours 1- to 3-year-olds spent watching TV. Makes you wonder if all the new educational programming geared to the youngest set will last long. • A recent National Sleep Foundation poll recently released suggests that children from infancy to 10 years old routinely get less sleep than recommended. It concluded that preschoolers and kindergarteners are shorted an average of 3 hours of sleep per week. Experts blame the sleep deficit on caffeinated drinks and the fact that nearly half of all school-age children have televisions in their bedrooms, which is associated with a 2-hour loss of sleep per week. Wondering if your child is getting enough sleep? A normal, full-term newborn should sleep approximately 16 to 18 hours per day, and only a few hours less (14 to 15 hours per day) by their first birthday. Total daily sleep need decreases to about 13 hours by age 2, 12 hours by age 3 to 4, and 11 hours by age 5. |
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