What developmental milestone should a 2-year-old be capable of performing?

At the age of 2 years, children typically begin to use two-word phrases, which is a significant developmental milestone in their language development. This stage indicates that they are starting to combine words and understand basic sentence structure, reflecting their growing cognitive abilities and communication skills. Examples of two-word phrases include "want cookie" or "big truck," showing not just the ability to speak but also to convey more complex ideas.

The ability to use two-word phrases marks a transition from single words to more complex communication, which is crucial for further language development. At this age, children are rapidly expanding their vocabulary and beginning to express their needs and thoughts in a more structured way.

While climbing stairs with assistance is a physical skill that many children may achieve around this age, the focus on language development highlights the importance of communication milestones in early childhood. Similarly, toilet training and forming sentences with three words are skills that generally develop at a later age, making two-word phrases the correct developmental milestone for a 2-year-old.