Content Map Terms

Your 24 to 30 month old toddler is constantly moving, often with precision and determination - running, jumping, dancing and hopping. This is a fun, interactive and formative period.

Physical Milestones

Here are some of the physical milestones you can expect your toddler to reach at this age:

Walk backwards and sideways.
Walk upstairs and downstairs alone, placing both feet on one step.
Run without falling.
Jump in place, lifting both feet off the floor.
Climb on a riding toy and make it move using both feet at the same time.
Scribble, holding a crayon in his whole hand.
Copy drawing up and down and side to side and horizontal lines.
Build a tower of five or more blocks.
String beads, picking them up with her thumb and index finger.
Remove lids by turning wrist.

Play and Activity

Many toddlers love music and dancing - it's a wonderful way to spend time together and support your toddler's physical development! Here are some other things you can do to nurture physical development in your toddler:

Continue to breastfeed.
Spend lots of time playing outdoors in safe places, like toddler playgrounds. Try running and kicking balls.
Encourage your toddler to try new movements, such as jumping, rolling, stretching, marching, and walking.
Set up some plastic bottles for bowling pins so your toddler can knock them down with a ball.
Play simple movement games where your toddler can stop and go, change directions, and move quickly or slowly.
Sing songs like If You’re Happy and You Know It, name body parts and do different actions.
Praise your toddler's drawing efforts and describe the markings you see.
Encourage your toddler to practice dressing skills. Only help with buttons and zippers when your toddler needs assistance.
Make playdough with your toddler and create different shapes together.
Supply your toddler with costumes for pretend play, including hats, shoes, coats, and pants.
Offer art materials, such as markers, crayons, finger paints, paints and an easel.
Offer ride on toys and push pull toys.
Provide puzzles of different sizes and colours with differnet numbers of pieces.
Invite your toddler to help with simple cooking jobs, such as adding vegetables to a salad or stirring with a spoon.

Other Physical Milestones

Between 24 and 30 months your toddler may also:

Walk on a narrow balance beam.
Walk upstairs and downstairs using one foot and then the other, holding the handrail.
Run without bumping into things.
Jump forward.
Pedal a simple tricycle.
Begin to use the thumb and fingertips when holding a crayon.
Copy drawing a cross or a circle.
Fold paper.
Use small safety scissors to snip paper.
Remove unbuttoned clothes and zip up zippers.
Begin to show an interest in using the toilet.