They call it the “terrible twos” because it seems all your Toddler wants to say is “no!” This is the time when your little one’s character starts to take shape and they blossom into their own person. Here are some skills to be on the lookout for.

Movement Skills

At this age, your child should be able to:

• Stand on tiptoes
• Kick a ball
• Start to run
• Climb on and down from furniture without help
• Walk up and down stairs while holding on
• Throw a ball overhand
• Carry a large toy or several toys while walking

You’ve probably noticed how your child has stopped staggering when they walk and has transitioned to the smoother heel-to-toe movement of the typical adult walker. In the months ahead, they’ll become a more coordinated runner, learn to walk backward, turn corners, and with a little help, stand on one leg.

They’ll naturally improve their motor skills by running, playing, sliding down slides, and climbing. It’s good for them to have time each day to go outside and explore. This will let them improve motor skills, have fun, and let off steam. But you need to supervise them.

Hand and Finger Development

Your child should be able to:

• Scribble at will
• Turn over a container and pour out its contents
• Build a tower of four blocks or more

By now, your child can coordinate the movements of their wrist, fingers, and palm so they can turn a doorknob or unscrew a jar lid. They also can hold a crayon or pencil, even though the grip might seem awkward to you. Still, it’s good enough for them to start making some lines and circles on a piece of paper. Their attention span will be a lot longer than at 18 months and now that they can turn the pages in a book, can participate more when you read together. Drawing, building blocks, or using a construction set will keep them happy for a long time.

Your toddler may show a preference for either their left or right hand at this age. But there’s no need to pressure them to choose one or the other. Some kids develop a preference later on. Others can use either hand equally well. So let it happen naturally.