What should two year olds do?

Question

What type of activities should two year olds be able to do. I know that all children advance at their own pace, but I would like some ideas, on what most of them can do at this age, its been many years so I kinda forget.

Answer 1

http://home1.gte.net/pulsar/Library_Ref/Biology/ECD/ECD%20%202-6yrs.html

i don't know this site, but they seem to have the info you are looking for

Answer 2

Social Milestones
Children develop at different rates, but the American Academy of Pediatrics has a list of social "milestones" that most children reach by their second birthday. The following behaviors are considered typical for a 2-year-old:
• Imitates the behavior of adults and older children

• Is aware of himself as a person separate from others

• Is enthusiastic about playing with other children

• Is increasingly independent

• Has begun to show defiant behavior

• Has fewer episodes of separation anxiety

If your child isn't doing these things, talk to his healthcare provider for advice.

Answer 3

My daughter's favorite activities are climbing, running around the playground, playing with a ball and basic child puzzles, and going swimming (in a kiddie pool). She also loves "helping" me. This comes in handy for getting some of the chores done. She will help me put dirty clothes in the washer, and clean clothes into the laundry basket. You will have to fold them later, but it makes her proud. She also loves to help with grocery shopping. I'll hand her something and she will run and put it in the cart.
Every once in a while I'll let her help with the cooking too by holding her up and letting her stir what's in the pot. I am cautious about that though because of the heat from the stove.
She also loves to help me to collages - cut different pictures out of junk mail catalogs and other magazines, then stick them on a piece of colored construction paper. You have to help with the gluing.
The best activities for your two year old should be based on her interests. Mine loves nature so we read books about bugs and birds and animals and we will walk through the park looking for different animals.

Answer 4

What a thoughtful question.

Depending on your resources you could either check web resources, contact a librarian or check out Child Development books at the book store of a local college, or at a regular book-store. There are usually very knowledgeable assistants at large and popular book stores.

I do not know if this is any good, but here is the URL for a magazine which advertises that they have ideas for play-time for young children.

http://wondertime.go.com/?CMP=KNC-O0T570277565&OVRAW=Child%2Bplay&OVKEY=child%20play&OVMTC=standard

Some children might like to do finger-painting using a little pudding on a cool and clean baking sheet. Others might like well-supervised play with a garden hose, or in the evening to entertain themselves with a flash-light. At quiet times when it is important to be rather still they might like to decorate books or their fingers with stickers or fancy band-aids.

And remember that probably the most enjoyable thing they ever have is to interact with Mom and Dad, Grandma or Grand-dad.

Answer 5

My neice can say her ABC's, knows all her colors, counts to 20, and knows her address and parent's full names. She recognizes family's voices on the phone, and will talk on it if she's in the right mood. She is starting to stay in the lines when she colors (at least close to it). She follows along with words when you read to her. She can swim. She sings along with most of her songs, and has a special crazy little dance for KC & the Sunshine band's Shake Your Booty. But she's not potty trained yet, and can't sleep without her security blanket. Overall, I think she's pretty advanced, but she's pretty much the only 2 year old I know.

Answer 6

You already know that all children advance at their own pace. Do not keep the knowledge just in some compartmnt of the brain and forget about it. Let the child adopt his own speed. Do not repeat not walk him alwas holding his hand and asked him to hold your finger.If he cannot keep his balance or successfully cross a hurdle let him fall and also let him rise by himself. Help him only if he asked for it. Of course ensure that he is not injured.If he tried his hand at various gadgets e.g TV,video etc. let him do so. If he raises his voice attend to him immediately. He wants your attention. If you enrol him in a school by all means do it but ask the teacher not to teach him anything. Let him just mix up with his companions and learn to adjust himself to them. You may perhaps like to speed him up in life but beware that thee are unseen police around who will book you if you are overspeeding. If he gets his friends in the flat and ,so to say, lifts the flat over his head let him do it By all means let him to go to his friend's house only ensuring that he is not molested. Last but not least never treat bringing him up as an onerous responsibility. Take it in your stride.The Little Gentleman(or is it woman) will not let you down.

Answer 7

Here it goes:
- Talk in at least simple words, like "milk, momma, please" and etc.
- Walk/Run with out tripping too often
- have established a "dominant hand"~ they usually use the same hand for coloring, brushing their hair and teeth, etc. Not all kids discover their dominant this soon, but most do.
- can hold a pencil/crayon and know what it does
- can tell you what simple objects are, i.e. door, cup, TV, dog, cat, etc
- can tell you where each part of their body is- major parts- leg, arm, fingers, tummy, nose, eyes, etc, etc
- knows where articles of clothing goes~ pants on bottom, shirt on top, glasses on head, etc
- can tell you when they have to go potty, and are wearing pull-ups. When you think he is peeing or "prime pee times" (A.M., after drinking/ eating, after playtime, P.M.), put him on the potty.
- interacts with children his own age
- understands the concept of day and night
- understands that mommy goes to work, he goes to day care (if applicable)
- can name foods that he eats
- drinks from a sippy cup and can drink from a straw if the need be
- can throw or attempt to throw a ball
- can tell you where the sky and ground is
- knows that when he gts hurt to come to you (most already know this, it's first instinct)
- can brush teeth, comb hair, simple hyegine things
- can imitate most simple words, movements (clapping your hands, stomping your feet), and facial expressions
- can distinguish between animals (cat, dog, fish, bird, frog, etc. )
Hope this helps. If you have questions, go to your pediatrician.

Answer 8

They can do whatever they think they can!! They love to test boundaries and (try to) do everything they see someone else doing. Outside, my 2 year old loves to run under the sprinkler, squirt people with the hose, help mommy pull weeds in the garden and she can follow directions (like picking up twigs and putting them in a pile). Inside, she loves to play with blocks (building them up and knocking them down) and playing "mommy" with her babies (diapering, feeding, putting to sleep). She also loves to put her toys on the "naughty seat" when they misbehave! She loves painting and coloring (makes a mess of course, that's why I love washable paints and crayons!), and loves to help set the table, clear the table, put laundry away, etc. (varying degrees of "helpfulness"). Here's a website for some activities. Have fun!

Answer 9

Any activity which stimulates their senses will be enjoyed by them and beneficial for them. Going for walks and talking about the different things you can see will build their vocab, reading and singing to them or with them, modelling with clay, going swimming, doing jigsaws (great for motor skill development), scribbling with crayons. also look around for a good playgroup in your area to maximise amount of time spent with their peer group to help develop their social skills and confidence.

Answer 10

A two year old likes to play with anything they are not suppose to, and they like to drive you nuts. That's why they are called terrible twos and some go into it early and some never leave it. good luck

Answer 11

A two year old's favorite activity is the total destruction of anything in sight.