Your 24 to 30 month old toddler is constantly moving, often with precision and determination - running, jumping, dancing and hopping. This is a fun, interactive and formative period.
Physical milestones
Here are some of the physical milestones you can expect your toddler to reach at this age:
- Walk backwards and sideways.
- Walk upstairs and downstairs alone, placing both feet on one step.
- Run without falling.
- Jump in place, lifting both feet off the floor.
- Climb on a riding toy and make it move using both feet at the same time.
- Scribble, holding a crayon in his whole hand.
- Copy drawing up and down and side to side and horizontal lines.
- Build a tower of five or more blocks.
- String beads, picking them up with her thumb and index finger.
- Remove lids by turning wrist.
Play and activity
Many toddlers love music and dancing - it's a wonderful way to spend time together and support your toddler's physical development! Here are some other things you can do to nurture physical development in your toddler:
- Continue to breastfeed.
- Spend lots of time playing outdoors in safe places, like toddler playgrounds. Try running and kicking balls.
- Encourage your toddler to try new movements, such as jumping, rolling, stretching, marching, and walking.
- Set up some plastic bottles for bowling pins so your toddler can knock them down with a ball.
- Play simple movement games where your toddler can stop and go, change directions, and move quickly or slowly.
- Sing songs like If You’re Happy and You Know It, name body parts and do different actions.
- Praise your toddler's drawing efforts and describe the markings you see.
- Encourage your toddler to practice dressing skills. Only help with buttons and zippers when your toddler needs assistance.
- Make playdough with your toddler and create different shapes together.
- Supply your toddler with costumes for pretend play, including hats, shoes, coats, and pants.
- Offer art materials, such as markers, crayons, finger paints, paints and an easel.
- Offer ride on toys and push pull toys.
- Provide puzzles of different sizes and colours with differnet numbers of pieces.
- Invite your toddler to help with simple cooking jobs, such as adding vegetables to a salad or stirring with a spoon.
