Your 2-Year-Old

• “I Do It!”

  It’s the toddler’s battle cry: “I do it!” She’s ready to try things on her own, and it’s time to let her! When she wants to buckle herself into her car seat, patiently wait and lovingly give tips if she asks. This growing independence means she’s showing you her initiative. That’s a healthy place for her to be! She’s asking lots of questions now. As her go-to resource, you’re the one who can provide her with all (or maybe just most) the answers.

  Look for Signs of Learning at Your Child's Care

  Are the children engaged in activities that they pick? The classroom setting should be a place of self-guided exploration and discovery. Teachers can — and should — provide guidance and supervision, but they should not be overly controlling.

• My Imagination Makes Playtime Fun!

  Have you ever hosted a tea party with your toddler even without all the “right” supplies? That’s okay! In your toddler’s mind, a stick becomes a spoon and a blanket is a tablecloth. That’s the beauty of his growing imagination and the gift of his flexible thinking. So, as you serve tea to GI Joe in an empty stacking cup, know that your tea party is as perfect as your toddler needs it to be!

  Look for Signs of Learning at Your Child's Care
  

  Do you hear lots of questions from teachers? Great teachers expand and extend play with provocative questions that ignite little minds. Listen for open-ended questions about what children are doing now — and what comes next.

• I Can Finish What I Started

  The dog may lick her face and the TV might blare in the background, but your toddler is learning how to focus her attention on the task at hand. She’s determined to master her activity. That might be stacking blocks or eating peas. And as you likely know all too well, nothing can get in the way! Well, almost nothing. Except maybe that beautiful dandelion or that shiny car or… The good news is that her attention span is growing, and she’s learning how to finish what she began.

  Look for Signs of Learning at Your Child's Care
  

  Notice whether children move quickly from activity to activity, or whether they’re encouraged to finish what they’ve started. It’s important for teachers to help nurture persistence and perseverance in the classroom. They should encourage skills that build interest in completing activities. Encouraging little ones to keep trying is one great example of that.

  
  

• Play with Me!

  It’s time to introduce your toddler to some new social situations. He’s ready to play with his peers – at least for short periods of time. Watch as he gets caught up in imaginative and friendly play with his friends! Will they pretend to cook a meal? Build something with blocks? His imagination is unlimited, and his social skills are expanding!

  Look for Signs of Learning at Your Child's Care

  Is there genuine care, concern and respect between the teachers and the children? If you witness harsh tones or overhear shaming language, there’s a better place for your toddler. Children learn from adults how to work together — and developing that skill requires great role models.

• Learning to Play Together

  At two, toddlers begin to build the skills they need to play in small groups. Plan a play date with another child close to your child’s age and enjoy the company of adults too! But don’t get sad if they only play together a little—toddlers usually like group play for just short periods of time.

• Explore!

  Boundless curiosity is a normal part of toddlerhood. And you can spark exploration with open-ended playtime. Set up some containers of toys. Then, talk through the cause and effect of dumping, stacking and all the other chaotic and fun toddler work.