32 Month Old Child Development

Learn everything you need to know about your 32 month old toddler. Track important developments and milestones such as talking, walking, growth, memory & more.

Published on June 16, 2017

Your Growing Baby

Fine Motor & Cognitive Skills

Is your kiddo a real cutup? Around this age, your toddler is developing the fine motor skills needed to hold a piece of paper and cut with her own small scissors—and she should be learning to cut a (relatively) straight line on a piece of paper. You might be surprised that your youngster is ready for this task, but guide her through the process and see how she does. As with most stages of development, the timeline for acquiring new skills varies, so it's possible your tot is already cutting straight lines or she might not take to it for a while yet.

Start by giving her a pair of safety scissors and showing her how to use them. Then draw a thick line on a small sheet of sturdy paper. Demonstrate how to follow the line when cutting and let her take a turn. If your toddler tends to use her left hand for fine motor tasks, you can get her a pair of little-kid scissors just for lefties.

Cognitively, there's plenty going on in your kiddo's head. Now she can compare two to four colors of objects and determine whether they are the same color or different. Try it first with like objects (such as different colors of socks). If your child matches them by color easily, see how she does if you give her different objects with a few colors. Can she match the red cup to the red comb? (If she's really struggling with colors, the pediatrician might want to check her vision.)

Health and Safety Info

Autism in Children

Odds are that you've heard about autism—its prevalence has demanded an increased focus from both the medical community and society in general—but do you know what it is? A general term used to describe numerous complex developmental brain disorders, autism occurs in every ethnic and socioeconomic group and affects all age groups.

As researchers learn more about autism and related autism spectrum disorders, studies show that in some cases these can be diagnosed in toddlers. So how do you know what signs can alert you to a potential problem?

Parents of kids with autism often have a sense that something isn't right with their children. The more common feature of autism is impaired social interaction. In little ones, look for difficulty in initiating communication (such as being consistently reluctant to seek your help when she needs it). A child with autism might also lack the use of sounds, words, or gestures to communicate with you, or she might repeat a word or phrase frequently.

Autistic children often show abnormalities in interacting and sharing experiences with others; they might not understand social cues such as facial expressions, body language, or tone of voice. Parents might notice "different" behaviors such as a failure to make eye contact or hear what someone is saying, or the child might have an unusual ability such as memorizing data such as numbers or lists.

The good news is that early detection and treatment can significantly reduce the severity of autism and autism spectrum disorders, so if you suspect something is not quite right with your toddler, don't hesitate to discuss your concerns about her development with her pediatrician.

6 Types of Autism

Must-Knows

Naming a Guardian

Having a child is a life-changing experience, and though it makes some uncomfortable, being a parent brings up the issue of one's mortality. No parent wants to consider the possibility that she could die before her children are adults, yet all parents need to take responsibility for what happens to their children if the unthinkable should occur. If you've been procrastinating preparing a will and taking the legal action needed to protect your child, it's time to get your affairs in order.

A major part of preparing your will is selecting a guardian for your child. This is a person who would have the legal authority to care for and raise your child if you're not there. If you neglect to name a legal guardian in your will, the decision might be left to a judge who likely doesn't know you or your family.

For some parents, selecting a guardian for their child is a relatively easy decision—while for others it can be difficult to choose who would be best able to care for their child. Parents must consider whether the person is old enough, has a healthy relationship with the child, and can financially support the child. Additionally, this person should share your beliefs, values, and morals. This might be especially important to you if you are of a particular faith and want to ensure your child is raised in that faith.

Lastly, consider whether the person will consent to being a guardian if you die. You need to have a serious discussion with the potential guardian to ensure that he or she is willing to accept the responsibility and understands what it entails. You might also want to select a "backup guardian" in case your first choice isn't able to fulfill the role.

Choose the Right Legal Guardian for Your Kid