Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

What is an expected developmental assessment for a 2-year-old?

1. Toilet training

2. 2-3 word sentences

3. Cooperative play

4. Sharing willingly

The correct answer is: 2-3 word sentences

For a 2-year-old, a key expected developmental milestone is the use of 2-3 word sentences. At this age, children are rapidly developing their language skills and typically begin to combine words to form simple phrases, which reflects their cognitive growth and ability to express thoughts. This level of language development not only aids in communication but also supports social interactions and cognitive processing as they learn to express needs and ideas. While toilet training is commonly initiated around this age, it is not uniformly expected, as children vary in readiness and may not all have begun this process. Cooperative play starts to emerge as children approach age 3, but at 2, play is often more parallel, meaning toddlers may play alongside each other without much interaction. Regarding sharing, it is generally a more complex social skill that develops later, as 2-year-olds often have difficulty with the concept of sharing willingly due to their developing sense of self and possessiveness over toys. Therefore, the use of 2-3 word sentences is a clear indicator of expected linguistic development in a typical 2-year-old.