2-year-old (24-month-old) milestones: the CDC checklist

Wording from the CDC.

Most children (75 in 100) do these things by 24 months; mark what your child does and take the list to your child’s doctor.

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Social/Emotional Milestones

Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation

Language/Communication Milestones

Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”
Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”
Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you
Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Kicks a ball
Runs
Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
Eats with a spoon

Other important things to share with the doctor

CDC suggests these questions; the wording is CDC’s.

  1. What are some things you and your child do together?
  2. What are some things your child likes to do?
  3. Is there anything your child does or does not do that concerns you?
  4. Has your child lost any skills he/she once had?
  5. Does your child have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What to ask the doctor

Talk with your child’s doctor. You know your child best. If you have a concern, don’t wait for the next visit: call your child’s doctor, share it, and ask about developmental screening.

Screenings at checkups. Doctors are advised to screen every child’s development with a standard questionnaire at the 9-, 18- and 30-month visits, and to screen for autism at the 18- and 24-month visits. You can ask for a screening at any visit.

If your child loses a skill. If your child stops doing something they used to do, at any age, call the doctor. Losing a skill is always worth a call.

You don’t need a referral. If your child is under 3, you can contact your state’s early intervention program yourself. From age 3, contact your local public school district, even if your child doesn’t go there. Find early intervention (CDC)

If you have concerns, talk to your child's doctor.

Sources: Zubler et al. 2022, Pediatrics 149(3) (the 2022 checklists); Lipkin and Macias 2020, Pediatrics 145(1) (the screening schedule); CDC’s early intervention pages.

Act early

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

If you or the doctor are still concerned

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child more; and
  • Call your state or territory's early intervention program to find out if your child can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI.

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” page for this age.

Questions parents ask at 24 months

Answered from CDC’s 2022 checklists, quoting CDC’s wording exactly.

Should my 2-year-old be putting words together?

CDC’s 2-year list says “Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”” By 30 months it lists “Says about 50 words” and “Says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run””. CDC’s advice is to act early: if you have a concern, don’t wait, and talk with your child’s doctor.

Should a 2-year-old know body parts?

CDC’s 2-year list includes “Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you” and “Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”” If you have a question about what your child understands, talk with your child’s doctor.

Should my 2-year-old be running and climbing stairs?

CDC’s 2-year movement items include “Runs”, “Kicks a ball” and “Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help”. At 30 months CDC adds “Jumps off the ground with both feet”. If you have a question about how your child moves, talk with your child’s doctor.

What comes before and after 24 months

Show CDC’s 18-month and 30-month lists

CDC’s checklists for the checkpoints on either side of 24 months, word for word, by area of development. They are here to compare; the checklist to mark is the 24-month one above.

Social/Emotional Milestones

At 18 months

  • Moves away from you, but looks to make sure you are close by
  • Points to show you something interesting
  • Puts hands out for you to wash them
  • Looks at a few pages in a book with you
  • Helps you dress him by pushing arm through sleeve or lifting up foot

At 30 months

  • Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
  • Shows you what she can do by saying, “Look at me!”
  • Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.”

Language/Communication Milestones

At 18 months

  • Tries to say three or more words besides “mama” or “dada”
  • Follows one-step directions without any gestures, like giving you the toy when you say, “Give it to me.”

At 30 months

  • Says about 50 words
  • Says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run”
  • Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”
  • Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we”

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

At 18 months

  • Copies you doing chores, like sweeping with a broom
  • Plays with toys in a simple way, like pushing a toy car

At 30 months

  • Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
  • Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
  • Follows two-step instructions like “Put the toy down and close the door.”
  • Shows he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

At 18 months

  • Walks without holding on to anyone or anything
  • Scribbles
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid and may spill sometimes
  • Feeds himself with his fingers
  • Tries to use a spoon
  • Climbs on and off a couch or chair without help

At 30 months

  • Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
  • Takes some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket
  • Jumps off the ground with both feet
  • Turns book pages, one at a time, when you read to her

Tips and activities for 24 months

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program. The tips and activities below are CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s page for this age

What You Can Do for Your 2-year-old

As your child's first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try these simple tips and activities in a safe way. Talk with your child's doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your child's development.

  • Help your child learn how words sound, even if he can't say them clearly yet. For example, if your child says, "or nana," say "You want more banana."
  • Watch your child closely during playdates. Children this age play next to each other, but do not know how to share and solve problems. Show your child how to deal with conflicts by helping her share, take turns, and use words when possible.
  • Have your child help you get ready for mealtime, by letting him carry things to the table, such as plastic cups or napkins. Thank your child for helping.
More Parenting Tips and Activities (17)
  • Give your child balls to kick, roll, and throw.
  • Give toys that teach your child how to make things work and how to solve problems. For example, give her toys where she can push a button and something happens.
  • Let your child play dress up with grown-up clothes, such as shoes, hats, and shirts. This helps him begin to pretend play.
  • Allow your child to eat as much or as little as she wants at each meal. Toddlers don't always eat the same amount or type of food each day. Your job is to offer her healthy foods and it's your child's job to decide if and how much she needs to eat.
  • Have steady routines for sleeping and feeding. Create a calm, quiet bedtime for your child. Put on his pajamas, brush his teeth, and read 1 or 2 books to him. Children this age need 11 to 14 hours of sleep a day (including naps). Consistent sleep times make it easier.
  • Ask your child's doctor and/or teachers about toilet training to know if your child is ready to start. Most children are not able to toilet train until 2 to 3 years old. Starting too early can cause stress and setbacks, which can cause training to take longer.
  • Use positive words when your child is being a good helper. Let him help with simple chores, such as putting toys or laundry in a basket.
  • Play with your child outside, by playing "ready, set, go." For example, pull your child back in a swing. Say "Ready, set....", then wait and say "Go" when you push the swing.
  • Let your child create simple art projects with you. Give your child crayons or put some finger paint on paper and let her explore by spreading it around and making dots. Hang it on the wall or refrigerator so your child can see it.
  • Use positive words and give more attention to behaviors you want to see ("wanted behaviors"), than to those you don't want to see. For example, say "Look how well you're eating with your spoon."
  • Let your child play with sand toys or plastic containers, spoons, or a funnel in the tub or in a sandbox.
  • Help your child do simple puzzles with shapes, colors, or animals. Name each piece when your child puts it in place.
  • Encourage your child's curiosity and help her learn and explore new things. Take her to the park, take walks, or go on a bus ride.
  • Sing songs, such as "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," to teach names of body parts. After singing it a few times, see if your child sings some of the words when you touch a body part and wait.
  • Limit screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) to no more than 1 hour a day of a children's program with an adult present. Children learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others.
  • Encourage your child to play with blocks. Take turns building towers and knocking them down.
  • Ask your child to help you open the drawer when you put away clothes or open the door when you go outside.

On CDC’s site

The checklist on this page is CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s site already has an online checklist for each age. What this page adds: a corrected-age calculator and a list for the doctor that prints without an email step.

More for parents

Milestone checklist: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”, 2022 revision. Source: CDC. Read this checklist on cdc.gov

Use of CDC material on this page does not imply endorsement by CDC, ATSDR, HHS or the United States Government.

Prepared by MyTestAtlas from CDC materials.