What to Expect in Your Child's Second Year
Believe it or not, most of what makes your 2-year-old so impossible is helping him grow into a capable, independent, awesome person! (OK, maybe not the biting and hitting...). So even if you don't love your toddler's behavior, you can take heart that it is, ahem, purposeful. Check out what's on tap for your toddler's second year!
Little Smarty Pants!
Your kid's language development and cognitive development will flourish this year. She'll start to problem-solve, count, and sort by shape and color. She'll learn tons of new words and may be able to say up to 300 of them by the end of the year. She'll start to speak in short Tarzan-like sentences such as, "Me want cup." And even if she's not chatting your ear off quite yet, she'll understand most of what you're saying ... even if she ignores you and pretends she doesn't!
Button Pusher!
Your 2-year-old will love pushing all sorts of buttons, especially YOURS! Your little Christian Bale will fly off the handle at the tiniest provocation. He may hit, bite, scream his brains out and throw things when he's mad. "No" will be his go-to word for everything (even things he wants to say "yes" to). We know it's all a nightmare to deal with, but this is just his way of working out intense feelings he can't quite express yet. And don't stress too much, he'll outgrow it in time (even if some people, ahem Mr. Bale, haven't yet).
Mover and Shaker!
Your kid will start using his body in bigger, better, faster ways as he develops his gross motor skills. He'll most likely learn to jump, kick, throw and catch this year. He'll start to climb the jungle gym more adeptly. When he walks and runs, he'll no longer look like a frat boy who's had a few too many. He may learn how to ride a trike, drink through a straw and open doorknobs. (So don't expect to go to the bathroom alone any time soon!)
Picky Eater!
Your kid should slim down this year and lose that beer belly look (wish we could say the same for Grandpa). Be prepared for picky eater battles to kick it up a notch as your kid gets more opinionated and independent. But don't succumb to being his short-order chef: Just offer healthy meals and the rest is up to him! Also know that his appetite will decrease significantly, which explains how he'll survive on half a hot dog and three pieces of Pirate's Booty a day.
Read I Don't Believe in the Terrible Twos! by Roberta Brown!
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