Development of 2-year old child
Now that pretend play is established, 2-year-olds can perform social roles like mommy, daddy, or baby. Role taking becomes a bigger part of social pretend play, and their pretend play becomes more elaborate as they use a variety of objects to carry out longer episodes. At this age, children need the object to resemble the real item to some degree, so they might use a cloth rather than a shoe to represent a pillow.
They understand that pictures can depict pretend objects, and scribbles gradually become more representational pictures during this period, although they are still more interested in the process than the product. They become increasingly interested in color variations and using simple art materials. Children at this age begin to show an interest in television and television characters.
How to play with 2-year old
They are drawn to familiar cartoon characters from television shows that they can incorporate into their play themes. They often want to know “why,” and can start to use simple learning or educational toys. They understand the purpose of numbers in counting objects.
Children have increasing control over basic gross and fine motor skills. Interest in gross motor activity increases with newly found physical strength and basic coordination; and children this age especially enjoy balancing, climbing, running, jumping, throwing, catching, and pushing or pulling objects. They learn these skills separately during this period, and with each passing year, they gradually combine them with other skills as coordinated movement. They can perform somersaults, and like to dance, twirl, and gallop to music. Although their control is still uncertain, they can kick and throw a ball. They can manage simple screwing actions, and can use simple one- or two-turn wind-up mechanisms, provided they are of low tension. Smaller buttons or snaps may be difficult for these children to manipulate, but they can use large hooks, buttons, and buckles.
Types of toys for 2-year old
They prefer more realistic toys, so colors other than bright primary colors (e.g., pastels) become attractive. However, these toys do not need to be elaborately detailed.
