Child Development Guide: Two to Three Years

To discover and establish a positive, distinct self through continuous exploration of the world, the development of communication skills, the experience of responsiveness of others, use of memory, and the rudiments of self-control.
To separate thinking from feeling through experiencing choices, limits, and self-derived solutions to simple problems, e.g., choice of foods, clothes, and activities.

Excessive adaptability, e.g., withdrawal, passivity, fearfulness; obsessive head banging, finger sucking, rocking; lack of interest in objects, environment or play; overly rebellious, e.g., excessive temper tantrums, uncontrollable hitting, biting, and hyperventilating, and/or constipation or destructive smearing of feces as an expression of anger.
Excessive stubbornness; consistent over-reaction to reasonable limits; weak sense of positive, distinct self, which manifests, e.g., as not making choices, meekly accepting others' impositions.

Note: Although these tasks and indicators may be present during ages 1 to 3, each may be more observable at specific times.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT: Two to Three Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Runs, kicks, climbs, throws a ball, jumps, pull, pushes, etc.; enjoys rough-and-tumble play.	Provide lots of room and many experiences in which child can use his/her arms and legs.
Is increasingly able to manipulate small objects with hands; likes to scribble; eats easily with a spoon; helps to dress self; and can build a tower of 6 to 7 blocks.	Provide activities that use fingers: clay, blocks, finger-paint, pick-up objects, stacking objects, large crayons for scribbling, dressing activities.
Begins to control bowels; bladder control comes slightly later.	Gradually start toilet training; consult pediatrician, nurse, caseworker if unsure methods.

Physical Development for One to Two Years	Physical Development for Three to Four Years
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INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT: Two to Three Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Continue to learn through senses; still is very curious.	Provide sensory experiences; allow child to explore; have limited "no-no's".
Has a short attention span.	Don't make the child do one thing for more than a few minutes.
Uses three- to four-word sentences. Begins to sing simple songs and say rhymes.	Talk with the child. Explain things simply. Provide songs and rhymes that have rhythm and are repetitive and low in key.

Intellectual Development for One to Two Years	Intellectual Development for Three to Four Years
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SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: Two to Three Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Still considers mother very important. Does not like strangers.	Don't force child to relate to strangers.
Imitates and attempts to participate in adult behaviors, e.g., washing dishes, mopping floors, applying make-up.	Allow time to do things for self and to explore.
Can do things with others, such as listening to a story.	Provide brief experiences with other children, but don't expect much socialization.

Social Development for One to Two Years	Social Development for Three to Four Years
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EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Two to Three Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Needs to develop a sense of self. Needs to do some things for self; enjoys praise.	Provide simple experiences in which the child can successfully do things for self. Praise often.
Tests his/her powers; says "No!" often; shows lots of emotion, laughs, squeals, throws temper tantrums, cries violently.	Be firm in following through with your instructions, but do not punish the child for expressing feelings and showing independence. He/she is not deliberately being "bad" but cannot control feelings until he/she has expressed them.
Fears loud noises, quick moves, large animals, mother's departure.	Avoid sudden situations involving these fears. Do not force or ridicule the child.

Emotional Development for One to Two Years	Emotional Development for Three to Four Years
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MORAL DEVELOPMENT: Two to Three Years
Normal Characteristics	Suggested Behaviors for Effective Parenting
Usually appears self-reliant and wants to be good, but is not yet mature enough to be able to carry out most promises.	Accept the child's limited ability to carry out promises. Noncompliance is not deliberate, but just the child's way of expressing independence.

Moral Development for One to Two Years	Moral Development for Three to Four Years
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