Two to Three Years - Physical Development.

This is a stage of fast development in all directions and often poses problems to parents especially if it is the first child. The seemingly "naughty" behaviour is in fact a normal manifestation of growth and the realization of some new physical power by the child. Try to stop these manifestations only for the child’s safety and that of others, otherwise let the child be. Take it calmly.

Expect this:

i.                    Between two and two-and-half years, the child may be very active, grabbing things and not easily letting go. The child wants to experiment and may either resist sleep or sleep too long due to exhaustion. The appetite varies and the child may be more interested in snacks than the regular meals. Girls find it easier to stay dry than boys and find bathing more enjoyable. Dressing may still be a challenge but they find it easy to undress. The number of teeth at two-and half is usually 21.

ii.                  At three years, the child can run, climb and ride a tri-cycle. They can do many things with hands and feet and may even be able to button and unbutton, hang clothes and girls are faster in this than boys. The child can now eat quietly and smartly with little spilling. They can feed, dress and toilet themselves with very little help if properly trained.

If there is need to control the child’s wild activity, find another channel rather than trying to make them stop it. If the child hurts him/herself, give them attention and sympathy, this goes a long way. Allow the child to feed themselves, give them what they prefer to eat, as long as it is healthy. Make them enjoy feeding and bathing.

Seemingly physical manifestations like stuttering, nail-biting, excessive handing of genitals are almost always signs of mental or emotional tension or unhappiness. Try to find the cause and eliminate or treat it early. Refrain from nagging and unnecessary punishment because this only increases the tension. Give the child enough interesting things to do and give them a chance to play alone and also with other children.

Never try to hurry the child in anything unnecessarily. Unless if really necessary, try not to interfere with the child’s moods, let them grow through them for proper growth. Don’t ever make the child feel that there is anything bad with any part of the human body at this stage. Many children become curious about body parts of the opposite sex, don’t make it an issue.