Ages 24‑30 Months

Physical Development

  • Spend lots of time outdoors in safe places. If it is too cold or dark to go outside, create indoor spaces where your toddler can jump, roll, and stretch.
  • Play simple movement games where your toddler can stop and go, change directions, and move quickly or slowly.
  • Provide your toddler with chances to practise dressing skills, helping with buttons and zippers only when needed.
  • Make playdough with your toddler and create different shapes together. Offer art materials, such as markers, crayons, finger paints, paints and an easel.
What Your Toddler is Likely to Do
  • Walk backwards and sideways.
  • Walk upstairs and downstairs alone, placing both feet on one step.
  • Run without falling.
  • Jump in place, lifting both feet off the floor.
  • Climb on a riding toy and make it move using both feet at the same time.
  • Scribble, holding a crayon in his or her whole hand.
  • Copy drawing up‑and‑down and side‑to‑side and horizontal lines.
  • Build a tower of five or more blocks.
  • String beads, picking them up with the thumb and index finger.
  • Remove lids by turning wrist.
Other Things Your Toddler May Do
  • Walk on a narrow balance beam.
  • Walk upstairs and downstairs using one foot and then the other, holding the handrail.
  • Run without bumping into things.
  • Jump forward.
  • Pedal a simple tricycle.
  • Begin to use the thumb and fingertips when holding a crayon.
  • Copy drawing a cross or a circle.
  • Fold paper.
  • Use small safety scissors to snip paper.
  • Remove unbuttoned clothes and zip up zippers.
  • Begin to show an interest in using the toilet.
How You Can Help Physical Development
  • Continue to breastfeed.
  • Play different music and dance with your toddler.
  • Spend lots of time playing outdoors in safe places, like toddler playgrounds. Try running and kicking balls.
  • Encourage your toddler to try new movements, such as jumping, rolling, stretching, marching, and walking.
  • Set up some plastic bottles for bowling pins so your toddler can knock them down with a ball.
  • Play simple movement games where your toddler can stop and go, change directions, and move quickly or slowly.
  • Sing songs like If You’re Happy and You Know It, name body parts, and do different actions.
  • Praise your toddler’s drawing efforts and describe the markings you see. Provide your toddler with chances to practise dressing skills. Only help with buttons and zippers when your toddler needs help.
  • Make playdough with your toddler and create different shapes together.
  • Supply your toddler with costumes for pretend‑play, including hats, shoes, coats, and pants.
  • Offer art materials, such as markers, crayons, finger paints, paints and an easel.
  • Offer ride‑on toys and push‑pull toys.
  • Provide puzzles of different sizes, colours, and number of pieces.
  • Invite your toddler to help with simple cooking jobs, such as adding vegetables to a salad or stirring with a spoon.