26 Month Old Child Development

Learn everything you need to know about your 26 month old toddler. Track important developments and milestones such as talking, walking, growth, memory & more.

Published on June 16, 2017

A 2 years old boy drinking with a goblet in the the kitchen

Your Growing Baby

Imagination & Recognition

Toddlers love kid-size versions of adult things. Kitchen sets, coupe cars, mini picnic tables, and child-safe tool benches give youngsters the ability to safely play as grown-ups. And what toys little kids don't have, they'll make up: Blocks become cars, play dough turns into hamburgers and apple pie, and a moving box is an amazing choo choo. Here's a good opportunity to get your child's favorite stuffed animals (and her imagination!) involved—they make terrific companions for a tea party or as willing passengers on the Toddler Express.

Dress-up is an engaging activity for boys and girls. Watch your child use her creative thinking to transform from an average kid to a short-order cook, helpful doctor, or caped avenger ready to save the day. Of course make-believe play can be even more fun for your kiddo if she has someone to pretend with her! While she might be starting to socialize with other kids, you're still her favorite playmate and she'll love it when you "munch" on her home-cooked play dough dinners or sit still while she examines you with her pint-size doctor's kit. Your child learns by mimicking the behaviors she sees; watch her pretend to rock her baby doll to sleep or mow the lawn in the backyard. She's practicing being a big person!

Around this age, your toddler is able to understand that photographs are representations of real people. See if she can recognize three or four familiar faces. Pull out some clear, good-quality pictures (recent, please!) of people your little one knows well, then ask to point to a familiar face; she might even be able to name the person.

Health and Safety Info

Tracking Potty Training

Now that your tot is 2, he might be ready to learn how to use the potty (and if your child is already using the toilet regularly, congratulations!). The thought of having a diaper-free kid is an exciting prospect for parents, but prepare yourself—sometimes potty training goes quickly and smoothly, but often a child needs time and lots of practice. (And you'll need a whole lot of patience!)

There are numerous techniques, tactics, and advice from the experts—both professional and moms alike—on how to best toilet train your toddler. The key is finding what works well for your family, then staying positive and consistent. Be aware of your child's cues and never forget that the ball is truly in his court: He'll go when and where he wants to go, so you need to work with him and avoid unnecessary struggles. When he's ready to gain control over his own bladder and bowel functions, he'll feel a sense of pride and responsibility. This is a big achievement for your toddler!

Incidentally, daytime control is likely to happen much earlier than your toddler's ability to stay dry throughout the night. He's still learning to control his bodily functions during the day when he's aware of sensations that let him know it's time to use the potty. Don't make your child feel bad if he continues using a diaper at night for a while, but rather encourage him to use the bathroom just before bed. Once he's stayed dry all night for a few nights in a row—which might not happen until he is considerably older—consider letting him go diaper-free at bedtime. (Bedwetting isn't considered to be an issue for a few more years yet.)

Must-Knows

Getting Organized

You and your kiddo are running late for lunch, but you can't find your car keys and one of your toddler's sneakers is missing. Even worse, you're not sure where you and your friend agreed to meet for lunch and you're hoping her cell number is somewhere in the pile of papers on the kitchen counter.

Sound familiar? Most moms get disorganized from time to time, but if you're habitually running late, misplacing things, or not paying bills on time, you're probably frustrated and feeling completely overwhelmed. Getting organized will usher in order to your house and your family's life.

Use a calendar (wall, dry-erase, pocket—whatever suits you) to keep track of appointments, commitments, and bill payment due dates. Keep it handy and refer to it daily. You might want to keep your to-do lists and grocery lists with your calendar.

Cut the clutter! You'll be amazed at how much easier it is to find your stuff when you have less of it and what you have is organized. Set your timer to work on a certain space (and take a break when the timer goes off so you don't get overwhelmed). Keep what you use or love, throw away the junk, and donate what you no longer need.

Once things are in their place, return them after use and you'll always know where to find them; for example, keep a hook or basket by the door for keys—and use it.

Post emergency and frequently called phone numbers near your phone so you aren't scrambling for them in a rush.