At two years, toddlers learn best through movement, language, and shared experiences. Many are running, climbing, combining words, and beginning to use pretend play to explore ideas and relationships. Development at this age is supported by opportunities to move actively, hear and use language throughout the day, solve simple problems, and participate in routines alongside caregivers. Everyday play, conversation, and repetition help toddlers connect words with actions and build the skills needed for more complex learning.

Here are some ways you can support your child’s development:

• Encourage your child to experiment with sounds and words, especially if they aren’t pronounced clearly. For example, if your child says “Wabbit,” you can respond with, “Yes, that is a rabbit.”

• Give your child balls to roll, kick, or throw to practice coordination, aim, and balance.

• Let your child help carry small items to the table during meals, such as plastic cups or napkins, so they can participate in daily routines.

• Provide toys with buttons, levers, or other mechanisms that show cause and effect and encourage problem-solving.

• Invite your child to dress up in clothes, hats, or shoes, exploring pretend play and imagination.

• Offer finger paints, crayons, or other art materials and let your child spread color, make dots, or create simple designs on paper.

• Play simple puzzles with your child, using shapes, colors, or animals, and name each piece as it is placed.

• Sing interactive songs that involve body parts, such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” encouraging your child to point or touch along.

• Let your child help with small chores, like putting toys or laundry into a basket, reinforcing participation and coordination.

• Take your child outside for games like “ready, set, go,” including activities such as swinging, running, or chasing a ball.

• Observe your child during playdates and encourage sharing, taking turns, and using words to navigate conflicts.

• Provide sand, plastic containers, spoons, or funnels for sensory exploration in a sandbox or bathtub.

• Let your child open drawers or doors when putting away clothes or leaving the house, giving them a sense of involvement.

• Take your child with you outside, on walks, to the park, or on bus rides, encouraging curiosity, observation, and engagement with the environment.

• Allow your child to self-serve at meals, deciding how much to eat from the healthy foods you offer.

• Engage your child in consistent bedtime routines, such as putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, and reading one or two books.

• Limit screen time to brief, supervised programs and encourage interaction through play, conversation, or shared activities.

• Encourage your child to explore new objects, locations, or experiences, supporting curiosity and learning.

• Take turns building block towers and knocking them down, fostering healthy social interactions, and supporting problem-solving and fine motor skills.

• Introduce early toilet routines only when your child shows readiness, following guidance from teachers or healthcare professionals. Beginning too early can lead to undue stress and setbacks, prolonging toilet training.

These activities don’t directly teach milestones but create everyday moments where skills naturally emerge through experience, exploration, and interaction.