Child Growth: Toddler 2 Years (Child Development Information) - Child Development

2 Years

EATING
Parents of two-year-olds frequently complain that they can't get their children to eat. The fact is, however, toddlers generally manage to take in enough calories and nutrients to grow and gain weight at a normal rate, and often want to be in control of what they eat, not to mention the actual process of feeding themselves! Here are some examples of what a typical toddler eats in a day:

One pint of milk. While whole milk is generally recommended for children under the age of two, you may decide to use 2 percent for your two-year-old. If you are concerned about your child gaining too much weight, however, be sure to discuss with your pediatrician before switching to low or non-fat milk, since fat is considered to be an essential part of a healthy diet for young children.
Four servings (total) of fruits and vegetables. Remember that a serving size for a toddler is not the same as for an adult. For a toddler, a serving is about a quarter of a whole piece of fruit or two tablespoons of canned or frozen vegetables.
Four servings of bread or cereal. A toddler serving is about one-third of a slice of bread, one cracker, or one quarter cup of cereal or pasta.
Two servings of meat, poultry, or another protein source. Each serving is only one-half ounce, so a tablespoon of peanut butter or a few bites of chicken or hamburger should be sufficient.

On any given day, a toddler is likely to fall short of the ideal listed above. One day he may devour two or three slices of bread and a few ounces of cheese in one sitting. Another day he may want only fruit, and on the next he may seem to eat practically nothing. Over several days, however, a two-year-old's intake generally balances out. In the same way you approach toilet training, you should remember that the goal is not to force-feed your child, but to help him develop healthy eating habits while keeping power struggles to a minimum.

SLEEPING
The routine following the evening meal is particularly important, as it winds your child down to what you hope will be cooperative behavior at bedtime. Traditional activities include bathing, reading books, singing, or listening to music. Toddlers often share an unwillingness to lie down and close their eyes — probably because life is just too exciting and they don't want to miss a minute. They also dislike the separation from you. Bedtime struggles may be impossible to avoid with some two-year-olds, so don't feel like a failure if your child fusses, just continue to be consistent in your approach.

While an occasional two-year-old will insist he no longer needs naps, the vast majority continue to take (and benefit from) them until they are 3 or even 4 years old. Between 2 and 3 years of age, children sleep an average of 13 hours in any given 24-hour day, with naps often shortening to an hour or so.

PLAYING
Two-year-olds dedicate most of their waking hours to play of one kind or another. Through some kinds of games — such as puzzles and shape sorters — they refine their developing motor skills. Through others — games of pretend with dolls and other children — they sort out emotional conflicts and make sense of their place in the world. Playing, like talking, is something children do without being prompted. It also does not require a pile of elaborate and expensive toys.

Most toddlers engage in what is known as parallel play. They stay close together and imitate each other, but their actual interactions are limited. Even if there seems to be little give-and-take in these sessions, they are valuable because they lay the groundwork for later, more cooperative play.

If your child is not regularly exposed to other children in a play group or day care setting, now is a good time to build his circle of friends. As you do so, aim to keep organized playtime short (an hour or so for younger toddlers; two hours for older ones) and be prepared for more than a little pushing, shoving, and grabbing of toys. These struggles are not necessarily hostile; toddlers have a limited range of social behavior, but they usually manage to work things out without much interference from parents — and learn valuable skills in the process.

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