24+ Months: Big ideas, bigger world

By 24 months and beyond, your toddler has been walking, talking, and exploring for a while. Now they're putting all of it together. Words become sentences, curiosity becomes problem-solving, and the independence they've been reaching for since their first steps keeps growing.

Development looks different for every toddler. If you are concerned about development or your toddler loses a skill, speak with your toddler's healthcare professional. For toddlers born early, ask how corrected age applies.

Your toddler is becoming more confident as they run, climb, and explore. Keep their space ready for active play, and stay close during new activities like using stairs or trying new foods.

On the run

With growing balance and coordination, toddlers may run with more speed and confidence, climb higher, take stairs one foot at a time, and jump with both feet off the ground. Falls and tumbles are still part of learning as their balance develops.

How you can help

Give your toddler plenty of open space to run, climb, and jump safely. Stay close on stairs and during climbing while giving them room to practice. Kicking a ball, playing chase, or playing “ready, set, go” can help build these skills.

Toddler turning the pages of a book independently

Small hands, big jobs

Growing hand control may help toddlers twist a doorknob, unscrew a lid, draw with more purpose, turn book pages one at a time, and take off simple clothing on their own.

How you can help

Let your toddler practice everyday tasks, like turning a lid or flipping through a book. Offer crayons or finger paint for open-ended drawing, and give them time to try dressing or undressing themselves.

Toddler pretending to put stuffed bear to bed

Worlds within worlds

Pretend play may become more imaginative and layered. Toddlers may tuck a stuffed animal in for a nap, use one object as another, or create little scenes with blocks or boxes. They may also get better at solving simple problems, like reaching something that's out of range or fitting shapes into a slot.

How you can help

Follow your toddler's lead in pretend play and offer open-ended materials like blocks, boxes, and play food. When they face a small challenge, give them time to try before stepping in.

Putting it into words

Short sentences may start to take shape. Toddlers may start putting two or more words together and using words like “I,” “me,” and “we.” They may also point to familiar things in a book and name what they know.

How you can help

Keep talking, reading, and narrating everyday moments. Ask simple questions and give your toddler time to answer. When they put words together, build on what they say rather than correcting them.

From parallel play to interaction

Playing alongside others may bring more moments of interaction. Toddlers may play alongside other children and begin having small moments of interaction. They might hand someone a toy, copy what another child is doing, or join a short back-and-forth game. Sharing and taking turns are still developing.

How you can help

Give your toddler chances to play around other children. Stay nearby when needed and model simple phrases like “my turn” and “your turn.” Notice small moments of cooperation, without expecting them to share every toy or take turns for long.