Final answer:
By age two, children often reach milestones that include improved motor skills, increased interaction and independence, a vocabulary of up to 50 words, and enhanced cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and self-recognition. Parents should monitor these milestones and consult a pediatrician if there are significant delays.
Step-by-step explanation:
Developmental Milestones for a Two-Year-Old Child
By the age of two, children typically reach various physical, social, language, and cognitive milestones indicative of their growth and development. Physically, toddlers will have improved motor skills, allowing them to walk alone and begin to run, navigate stairs with support, and show coordination in activities like kicking a ball. Regarding social milestones, two-year-old children begin to show more independence, exhibit defiant behavior such as saying "no" to requests, and they often start to play with other children in a more interactive way, although play can still be parallel at times.
Language development is significant at this age, with children typically using up to a 50-word vocabulary and starting to form two-to-four-word sentences. They also understand more complex instructions and have the ability to follow simple commands. Cognitively, toddlers can solve problems through trial and error, exhibit self-recognition in mirrors, show attachment to parents, and may begin to engage in simple pretend play. It is also a time when significant growth in memory and thinking skills is evident, such as understanding physical relationships and searching for hidden objects.
If a child shows delays in several developmental milestones, it can be a cause for concern, and discussing these observations with a pediatrician is advised. It's important for parents and caregivers to be aware of these milestones to support a child's development and to seek early intervention services if needed.