Toddler Development and Milestones: Your 2 Year and 3 Month Old

At a stage where your toddler can name people around him and distinguish between various objects, his 2 year and 3 month old development and milestones are no longer restricted to his dexterity.

His actions are proof of his intellectual growth. This means that he can now better satisfy his curiosity about people and objects around him.

Your tiny tot is also developing confidence in himself. His ability to handle his body has improved considerably, although it will still take him a few more months to completely come into his own.

There is a lot more that you can expect from your growing tot in this month. 

2 Year and 3 Month Old Development and Milestones: Is Your Toddler on Track?

Physical Development

By the 27th month, most kids are able to grab objects like small toys and books. They also try to grasp them properly with their fingers. But it’s a process that your child will love immensely. Apart from developing dexterity, you can also expect a number of interesting developments this month.

• At this point, he will be able to do things on his own — like pulling off his shoes.
• He will also be able to hold his own glass — this will make life easier for him as well as for you. His will equals his dexterity with small objects.
• The same is true with big movements. By this month, your little trooper may be well-versed with the heel-to-toe motion.
• He might even try to jump or stand on just one leg.  

Rest assured, your 2 year and 3 month old toddler will enjoy trying new physical activities with your help. So come rainy days, you can both enjoy a bit of puddle-hopping together. 

At this stage, your child’s median height and weight* should be as follows:

• Boys
  – Height: 89.6 cm (35.3 inches)
  – Weight: 12.7 kg (28.1 lb)
• Girls 
  – Height: 88.0 cm (34.6 inches)
  – Weight: 12.6 kg (27.8 lb)

Your child’s head circumference* should be:

• Boys: 48.6 cm (19.1 inches)
• Girls: 47.6 cm (18.7 inches)

Tips: 

• All toys small and colourful continue to fascinate him. So to keep him occupied, you can give him shells, or small, vibrant objects to play with. But make sure that they are bigger than three centimetres to avoid any choking hazard.    
• You can help your toddler develop his motor skills (running, walking, cycling) by assisting him each time he attempts it.
• At this age, your toddler needs a minimum of three hours of physical activities, so make sure to get that much in everyday. 
• You must also make sure to supervise him, especially when he is outside. Most new things attract toddlers, even animals.

Some of you might wonder if your child is right-handed or left-handed because of the different ways he holds objects. Don’t try to push your preference, and let him develop this on his own.

It may take a few more months for him to finally realise what he may be most comfortable with — using his right hand or left. 

Another one of the 2 year and 3 month old developmental milestones is that by this age, his pudgy belly and baby fat will soon vanish. His head will become more proportionate and smaller than his torso. Which means your little bub is now turning into a young boy. This is the time to invest your effort into his health and nutrition.

When to Talk to Your Doctor: 

• Your child is uninterested in playing
• Your child gets cranky and clingy — especially if he does not want to socialise. These could be signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or muscular dystrophies.

Some kids are slow learners, some are fast. It’s best to not push your kid to do something you saw another one do. When it comes to physical play and sports, it’s best to allow them to learn on their own.

If you feel that your kid is not able to achieve these 2 year and 3 month old developmental milestones, we suggest you consult with a doctor. It may be due to a slow growth spurt or a developmental disorder.   

Cognitive Development

Two of the most common 2 year and 3 month old developmental milestones are attention span and complex play. Both of these come into play by this age, and you will be able to see just how. 

• You’ll notice that your toddler is able to solve a few simple puzzles and problems through a trial-and-error method.
• He might be at an activity till he is satisfied that it is done to the best of his ability.
• His gripping reflexes are getting stronger and this is an activity he will surely enjoy.
• Interestingly, he may also name inanimate objects and toys as though they are living beings. So don’t be alarmed, and let his imagination get to work. 

This is a tender age where all your kid wants to do is perhaps play with toys and with you. He will also start to understand basic puzzles and games and its a good time to introduce books. 

Tips:

• Give him crayons and books to create his masterpieces. This is a great time to observe your growing little bub and celebrate his small achievements.
• You can also introduce visual books to your preschooler as it will help him identify objects and animals. 
• Give him the time and space he needs to play with and enjoy his toys. 
• He needs your patience and continued support and encouragement, even if he makes mistakes. 

When to Talk to Your Doctor: 

• He is unable to distinguish between objects and colours
• He has drooping eyelids or is cross-eyed
• It tough for him to do any kind of puzzles
• Your child’s eyes do not move in-sync 
• Your child’s eyes gives out a milk discharge
• He/she often squints 

Social and Emotional Development 

By this age, your energetic toddler will exhibit strong emotions, anger and irritation being at the top of that list. Although he may try to control these emotions, chances are that he may become slightly aggressive and may even throw things around. 

You’ll also notice the following in his 27th month. 

• He might resort to yelling, throwing tantrums, shoving and pushing those around him.
• This is also an age where kids experiment with their tantrums. They throw a fit just to see if they’ll get what they want and if you give in it’ll simply solidify this belief. And that would mean more tantrums.
• By this age you will also notice that he has become far more clingy and wants your complete attention at all times. 
• He may also shy away from sharing his toys or would only want one person to engage in play with him. 
• The good news is that this is a good age for them to learn about socialising and they might even make new friends in the process. 

Tips:

• When you notice your toddler to throw a fit, try to distract him with games or colourful toys. Or, you can point at something outside the window — basically anything that distracts him at that moment. You’ll notice that he will immediately calm down. And that indicates that he wasn’t really angry but perhaps wanted attention or a distraction.
• Don’t give in to tantrums after just the one “No.” 
• Instead, remain calm and patient with your toddler. It can be particularly tricky if he throws a fit in public, but just hang in there because this too shall pass. 
• Remember that while there are many 2 year and 3 month old developmental milestones to celebrate, there are also a few that will truly irritate you, tantrums being one of them. Consider this as your testing time. Try to remain calm and patient with your child. 

Always remember that the tantrums and the anger are all normal and part of the growing up process. You and your kid are not the only ones going through this “phase.” Most mothers and young toddlers go through it. 

When to Talk to Your Doctor: 

• Your child’s anger leans towards violence and screaming
• He is extremely clingy 
• Throws tantrums and hissy fits when you are not around
• The inability to pick up an object or play with a puzzle irritates him 

Speech and Language Development

At 27 months, your not-so-tiny tot has a pretty decent vocabulary. Plus, he can identify names, especially his own. This is also an exciting time for parents as you can finally start conversing properly with your little one. 

• Your tiny tot now has approximately a 400-word vocabulary.
• He can verbalise a minimum of 200 words right now.
• At this point, he does know his name as well his surname.
• Your growing toddler is also able to identify singular and plural words by this stage. 
• One of the 2 year and 3 month old developmental milestones is that your child can use possessive pronouns such as “I,” “Me,” or “Mine”.
• A 2 year and 3 month old can also name the objects he or she most commonly sees or uses.

Since your child has developed an expressive and a receptive language by now, all of these vocabulary developments will help him share his thoughts more articulately. Not in adult terms, but for a toddler his age, that is good enough. 

You’ll notice him using words and gestures themselves better both through words and gestures. 

Tips:

• It is a good time to start singing nursery rhymes to him. You’ll be surprised by how quickly he learns and is able to imitate syllables, even if he is not properly pronouncing many of them.
• This is also the time to be mindful of your own words. Kids are like parrots at this age, and they will repeat every word you say. So it’s a good time to work beyond “thank you” and “please” and teach them etiquette.
• Incorporate the importance of kindness and respect into your lessons.  

When to Talk to Your Doctor:

• Unable to develop a vocabulary of 400 words
• Your child does not recognise his name, respond to it, or is unable to speak of any words at all 

Health and Nutrition

By 2 years and 3 months, your child should have 3 meals per day; 1/3 to a full cup or bowl, and one to two snacks throughout the day. 

Typically, the calorie intake for boys and girls of this age are as follows:

• Boys: 1050.3 Kcal/day
• Girls: 1041.4 Kcal/day 

Your child’s nutrition should be composed of the following: 

• Protein

For your child’s nutritional needs, give him at least 1/2 cup of cooked rice. A small bowl of rice with fish or a slice of bread with peanut butter, or one cube of cheese would be ideal.

• Fruits 

Your child requires 3 cups of diced fruits (e.g. apple, banana, mango) every day, do give them a variety of fruits to taste. 

• Vegetables 

Serve your child 1.5 cups of vegetables (cooked or raw vegetables) like mashed pumpkin, carrot, and sweet potato. Parents should also include dark green vegetables like broccoli, greens, spinach, romaine lettuce.

• Grains 

Feed your child about 3 ounces or about 85 g of grains which equals a slice of bread, one cup of ready-to-eat cereal, or half (1/2) cup of cooked pasta or cooked oatmeal. 

• Milk/Dairy 

Your child now needs 16 to 20 ounces of dairy milk per day. Besides that, you can also feed him/her 1/2 cup of yoghurt. 

In summary, here’s what your child needs every day (refer above for what the amounts look like):

• Fruits: 3 cups for boys and girls
• Vegetables: 1.5 cups for boys and girls
• Grains: up to 3 ounces for boys and girls
• Proteins: 24g for boys and girls 
• Milk: 16 to 20 ounces of whole milk for boys and girls (your child does not require formula milk anymore)
• Water: 1200 ml for boys and girls

Tips:

• It’s a good idea to keep things interesting by cutting his food in different shapes and sizes and well as making his platter a lot more colourful.
• Engage his senses by introducing different textures into food. 
• Puree the items that he won’t necessarily eat but are important for his growth. If he still refuses, or if he eats a bit less, don’t force it on him.
• Also, don’t worry about your toddler making a mess as he eats or scribbles away. This is the time of trial and error for your kid. Let him enjoy and learn at his own pace.
• Since at this stage he loves to observe you, it’ll also help to develop a healthy lifestyle. 

When to Talk to Your Doctor: 

• Your child exhibits extremely cranky behaviour 
• Rejects / completely disregards food 

It’s important to understand why your child may be behaving this way. Is he suffering from a stomach disorder or is he unable to chew because of a dental issue? Is he cranky because he simply doesn’t like to eat things he doesn’t see you eating?

Either way, it’s best to remain calm and help your toddler understand the world around him. Try to lead by example and encourage him to become more sociable and adapt a healthy lifestyle. 

Vaccinations

• BCG
• Hepatitis​ B (1st, 2nd and 3rd dose)
• Hepatitis A (1st dose) 
• DTaP (1st, 2nd and 3rd dose)
• IPV (1st, 2nd and 3rd dose)
• Hib (1st, 2nd and 3rd dose)
• Pneumococcal Conjugate (1st and 2nd dose)
• Diphtheria (1st dose)  
• Meningitis C 
• MMR – 1st dose & 2nd dose: Immunisation against Measles, Mumps & Rubella
• Pneumococcal Conjugate – 1st booster: Immunisation against Pneumococcal Disease

By the 23rd month, your kid should ideally get his Hepatitis A vaccine. These are given as two shots and at least six months apart. If he hasn’t completed his vaccinations, speak with your doctor and complete the immunisation. 

In terms of his vaccinations, apart from Hepatitis A vaccines you should also check with your doctor for live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). 

Parents, do note that if your child’s fever rises above 38 degrees or the symptoms seem to be getting worse do take him/her to their doctor immediately.

Treating Common Illnesses

• Fever 

Fevers, though a cause for concern, are part of growing up. Most fevers will resolve themselves in a few days, but keep an eye out for high temperatures and if your child’s fever does not go away after 3 days. Always consult your doctor to be safe. If your child’s fever is above 38.5°C, you can give your child paracetamol which is to be administered every 4 to 6 hours or ibuprofen. Do ensure that you do not administer both medicines together.

• Cough/Cold 
  • Offer plenty of fluids such as water, juice and broth.
  • Offer cold or frozen drinks or foods. Ice cream, frozen fruit pops, ice or cold beverages could help soothe a sore thoat.
  • It is always advised to try out home remedies rather than administer OTC medications. If in doubt, always visit the doctor. 
  • Try giving your child some honey.

• Mild diarrhoea
  • Keep your toddler hydrated.
  • Make sure that it is not your child’s antibiotics that is causing the diarrhoea. Pay a visit to the doctor to ensure that you can continue the medication.
  • Introduce yogurt (with live cultures or probiotics). This could help ease diarrhoea caused by antibiotics. 

When To See a Doctor

• Non-stop coughing, especially during the night
• Experiences trouble breathing when not coughing
• Wheezing and creates harsh sounds when breathing
• Lips or face turn bluish while coughing
• Severe chest pain
• Coughs up blood

While every child develops differently, and milestones are just guides, it helps to pay attention to the red flags to ensure the normal development of your child. Most of all, enjoy this time with your little one. Because this too shall pass, quickly. 

Sources: Mayo Clinic, NHS

Your toddler’s previous month: 26 months

Your toddler’s next month: 28 months

Do you have questions on this 27 month toddler development guide? Share them with us in the comments!