General development between ages 2 and 5 years

Children between the ages of 2 and 5 change dramatically in five major areas: emotional and social skills, physical growth, thinking and reasoning skills (called cognitive development), language development, and sensory and motor development. Children usually progress in a natural, predictable sequence from one developmental milestone to the next. But the exact timing varies from child to child. Also, many children tend to make progress in one area, such as learning new words, while another skill, such as counting, levels off.

• Emotional and social development begins with excitement about being around other children at age 2. But most children at this age play near each other rather than with each other (this is called parallel play). By age 5, most children seek and enjoy friendships. Often they identify a playmate as their "best friend," although their choice may change frequently. Two-year-olds start to recognize the differences between boys and girls. By age 5, children understand many of these differences and often like to dress or play in ways they identify with their gender.
• Physical development slows down from the rapid growth during infancy. From age 2 through age 5, most children annually gain about 3lb to 5lb and grow about 3in..
• Cognitive development, or thinking and reasoning skills, progresses from a simple to more complex understanding of time, letters, counting, and colors. Children are able to follow increasingly more detailed commands. Play gradually becomes more inventive and richly imaginative.
• Language develops rapidly between ages 2 and 5. By age 2, children usually can say at least 50 words. They can recognize the names of many objects and some body parts (such as arms and legs). By age 3, children are learning new words quickly. Most can speak between 150 and 200 words and can follow two-part directions, such as "Wash your face and put your shoes away." They also start to use plurals and short complete sentences that most of the time are understood by others outside of their family. Four-year-olds use longer sentences and can describe an event. Most 5-year-olds can carry on a conversation.
• Sensory and motor skills become more refined, from being able to walk up stairs, kick a ball, and draw simple strokes to basic tumbling and drawing rough figures of people and other recognizable objects. Children also gradually learn to dress themselves and handle their toilet needs independently.

Milestones by age

By 2 years of age, your child:

• Grows at a steady pace, although it has slowed from the phase of rapid growth during the first 18 months of life.
• Alternates between feeling excited, confused, and scared about his or her emerging independence. Temper tantrums may start occurring regularly.
• Says at least 50 words and uses 2-word sentences.
• Runs and can go up and down stairs.