Developmental Traits of 24-48 Months
DEVELOPMENTAL TRAITS OF 24 – 48 MONTHS
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Motor skills unevenly developed; marked development in large muscle coordination; small muscles and eye-hand coordination still not well-developed.
Physical Development: - Full set of temporary teeth by three years.
- Gradually acquires ability to feed and dress self with greater skill.
- Rapid language development – from a few words to an average of 2,000.
- Change in sleep pattern – 12 hours needed at night with day-time naps gradually givenup; still needs rest periods because they fatigue easily.
- Toilet habits established; child usually takes care of his own needs by end of period.
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Learning to understand his environment and to comply with many of its demands.
Characteristic Behavior: - Often negativistic at beginning of period, but gradually becomes able to accept necessary limits and restraints; wants adult approval.
- Likes to help around the house.
- Imitative in language, manners and habits.
- Constantly active, but capable of longer stretches of quiet activity toward end of period.
- Shows fatigue by being irritable or restless.
- Gradually learning what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
- Great curiosity ; asks countless questions.
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Security of love and affection from parents.
Special Needs: - Guidance and a pattern of behavior to follow.
- Time, patience, understanding and genuine interest from adults.
- Simple clear routines; limited choices.
- Opportunity to learn to give and take, to play cooperatively with other children.
- Wider scope of activity; limited freedom to move about and to move away from immediate home environment by end of period.
