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That Wonderful Third Year
The Thrills and Joys of Parenting a 2-year-old
By Shannon McKelden
This blossoming ability to share feelings is a great opportunity for parents. "It is important ... for parents to begin to emotion coach their child who is developing language," Blaine says. "If a child cries, a parent can say, 'I see you are sad. Mama will help.' This teaches the connection between words and feelings. And what a great way to teach a child how to communicate what they feel!"
Along with the ability to communicate better comes the ability to play and pretend. "In the third year, children start to use toys for symbolic play," Dr. Gulyn says. "Small train sets and play kitchens with 'food' are popular."
Little imaginations also begin to grow at this age. April O'Herron of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, found this true of her toddler daughter. "What I loved the most was when people asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up," she says. "She always replied, 'A doctor, a lawyer or a judge.' It used to crack them up!"
Verbal skills, imagination and the ability to pretend open up all kinds of new adventures at this age, and parents can really help nurture this experience.
"Toddlers love books, being sung to and talked to," Blaine says. "This is a time where language is blossoming, so parents can take advantage of this informative time. Read books, talk about what they are doing and sing silly songs and dance around." She reminds parents that there is nothing more fun for a child then to see her parents hamming it up. "Remember, Baby's favorite plaything is you!" she says.
Dr. Berman also reminds parents that for all their independence, 2-year-olds are still very attached to their parents. "While they like to explore their independence, they like to come back to their parents for hugs and comfort," she says. "This can be a wonderfully affectionate age."
