Curious and Exploring! A 2-Year-Old Baby's Milestone Checklist

Talking more, running everywhere, and making bigger messes like a mini-tornado. That's likely where you are now with your 2-year-old baby. And as exhausting as this stage of child development is, every new thing your child does is a huge achievement. It signals how your little one's body, brain, and feelings are all growing together.

Here's what to expect from your toddler's physical growth, developmental milestones, and when it's time to talk to a specialist.

Your 2-Year-Old Toddler's Development

Based on the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards, here are the average measurements for a 2-year-old baby's weight and height:

• Girls: about 11.5 kg (25.3 lbs.) in weight and 86.4 cm (34 in) in height
• Boys: about 12.2 kg (27 lbs.) in weight and 88 cm (35 in) in height

You can add your child's weight and height to the ParenTeam's growth chart calculator, which follows WHO standards, to start tracking their growth.

Don't stress if your little one isn't exactly hitting these numbers. Every child is different, and factors like genetics, nutrition, and overall health play a part. The main thing is that the child's growth shows steady progress during well-child visits.

Milestone Checklist for 2-Year-Olds

Knowing the milestones to expect for your 2-year-old baby's development allows you to spot concerns early.

Your 2-year-old baby is hitting some of the most exciting developmental milestones yet. This stage is full of action, imitation, and discovery! These skills that show how much your child is learning from daily play and interaction.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) worked with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to update its developmental milestone checklists based on research and expert review.

The goal is to show what most children (around 75% or more) can do by specific ages, helping parents and pediatricians track progress more accurately. (Check milestones in these checklists for your 6-month-old, 1-year-old, and 18-month-old baby.)

Below are the milestones your 2-year-old is expected to reach, based on those updated standards:

Motor skills

• Kicks a ball during outdoor play or when you gently roll one toward them
• Runs with more balance
• Walks up a few stairs, sometimes needing support, sometimes not
• Eats with a spoon, even if mealtime still gets a little messy

Cognitive development

• Holds something in one hand while using the other, like taking the lid off a container
• Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on toys
• Plays with more than one toy at a time, such as putting pretend food on a toy plate

Social-emotional development

• Notices when others are hurt or upset, often stopping or looking sad when someone cries
• Looks at your face for cues in new or uncertain situations to determine how to react

Language and communication skills

• Points to pictures in a book when you ask, like "Where's the bear?"
• Says at least two words together, for example, "more milk"
• Points to at least two body parts when asked to show you
• Uses more gestures beyond waving or pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes

Playtime is one of the best ways for your child to practice these skills. Explore these guides on indoor and outdoor activities for 2-year-olds and brain games that boost learning through fun, everyday play.

When to Be Concerned About Development

When a child hasn’t developed a skill expected for their age, it may be a sign they need extra help.

Every child grows and learns at their own pace. But these milestone checklists allow you to spot signs that suggest your 2-year-old baby may need extra help. What's worth talking about with your pediatrician?

Dr. Tricia Ramos, DPPS, a trained ambulatory pediatrician and pediatric primary care specialist, advises seeing your pediatrician if you notice your 2-year-old's speech delay.

"The most common signs that I encounter from new patients in my practice are a delay in expressive speech by age 2 years or more," Dr. Ramos shares in this article about the signs of a child with special needs.

Dr. Ramos adds that developmental red flags in speech often appear even before age 2, such as limited babbling or repetitive syllables between 15 and 18 months. That's why knowing your 2-year-old's milestones is crucial.

"A 2-year-old baby who is still unable to take steps on their own is already a sign of developmental delay," Dr. Ramos explains.

Keep Up with Your Child’s Well-Child Visits

Dr. Ramos emphasizes that any concern from parents or caregivers about a child’s growth or development should be raised as early as possible. "Early diagnosis and early intervention is key to achieving the best prognosis for the child’s function."

Developmental screening plays a key role in this process. These are standardized tools pediatricians use to identify risks for developmental or behavioral conditions. According to the Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, screenings are typically done at 9, 18, 24, and 30 months, and then every year afterward.

Your child’s doctor may recommend screening anytime they notice potential concerns during routine visits or when you raise observations of your own. And as pediatricians like Dr. Ramos stress, you want to act early rather than waiting it out.

At this age, your child is growing rapidly and learning at an even faster pace. Keeping up with your kid's checkups and observing their behavior in various situations will help you and your doctor gain a better understanding of your toddler's growth and development.

With the proper guidance and timely support, you're giving your 2-year-old baby the best chance to grow, learn, and reach every milestone.

Celebrate your 2-year-old baby's milestones on ParenTeam's Moms and Dads Facebook group!