Which developmental milestone should be expected at 2 years old?

At 2 years old, children typically begin to combine words to form simple phrases or sentences, demonstrating their developing language skills. The ability to use 2-word sentences, such as “want cookie” or “go car,” is an important communication milestone that signifies they are moving beyond single-word utterances. This development is crucial as it lays the foundation for more complex language use in the years to come.

While building a tower of 6 blocks, recognizing colors, and drawing a circle are all important skills that children develop as they grow, these milestones usually occur later. Most children can stack a few blocks by 2 years but may not reach a 6-block tower until closer to 3 years. Recognizing colors typically emerges slightly after this age, often around 3 years. Drawing shapes like a circle typically happens around the age of 3 as well, as children's fine motor skills and understanding of shapes improve. Thus, the use of 2-word sentences stands out as a key milestone expected at this age.