Milestones at 2 years
At 2 years the headline language item is putting two words together, such as "more milk", alongside pointing to body parts and pictures in a book. Children notice when someone is upset and check your face in new situations. Running, kicking a ball and walking up a few stairs are listed for movement. AAP recommends autism screening at this visit.
CDC's 2-year checklist lists 13 milestones: 2 social and emotional, 4 language and communication, 3 cognitive and 4 movement and physical development. The largest group at this age is language and communication, with 4 items. Each one is something most children (75% or more) can do by age 2, so many children do it earlier.
AAP recommends autism screening at the 2-year visit, so this is a good checkup to bring the checklist to. The checkpoint before this one is 18 months, with 15 milestones. The next is 30 months, with 15. For a baby born before 37 weeks, compare with the checklist for the corrected age until 2.
AAP recommends autism screening at the 2-year well-child visit. At the next checkpoint (30 months): general developmental screening with a standardized, validated tool.
Screening ages: AAP, via CDCSocial and emotional2 items
“Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC
Language and communication4 items
“Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?””
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Says at least two words together, like “More milk.””
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)3 items
“Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC
Movement and physical development4 items
“Kicks a ball”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Runs”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC“Eats with a spoon”
Most children (75%+) by 2 years · many earlier · Source: CDC
Checklist items quoted from CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestones for 2 years (Source: CDC). “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools.
If something is “not yet”
“You know your child best. Don’t wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child’s doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.”
Source: CDC, milestone checklist for 2 years
- Write down the items you answered “Not yet” or “Not sure”, with an example of what you see at home.
- Bring the list to your child’s doctor and ask whether a developmental screening is a good next step.
- Under 3? Call your state’s early intervention program and ask for a free evaluation. You don’t need a referral.
- 3 or older? Call your local public elementary school and ask for a preschool special education evaluation.