Their development from 2 to 3!
AGE 2-3 YEARS
The first 2-3 years of a child’s life are crucial for the development of the rest of his life.
During this time, his brain develops rapidly.
The main characteristics of this developmental period are the rapid development of verbal communication, both at a perceptual and expressive level, and the emergence of symbolic thinking.
After the 2nd year of life, a child understands concepts that indicate action, the concept of size difference, the concept of part from ‘the whole’ and concepts that indicate the relationships of things in space.
He begins, at an expressive level, to combine more than one word to form sentences.
The sentences take the form of telegraphic speech because grammatical elements such as articles, auxiliary verbs, pronouns, conjunctions and prepositions that seem unnecessary for understanding the message are omitted.
After the 3rd year of life, a substantial improvement is observed in both the articulation of most sounds and in grammatical structure, so that 50% of expressive speech is understandable, while the vocabulary is enriched at a rate of – approximately 50 words/month.
In the cognitive domain, symbolism emerges. The child can produce internal symbols that represent objects or events even when they are perceptually absent. The symbolic function is an important developmental achievement because it gives flexibility and plasticity to thought.
Regarding the motor area, despite the fact that physical development occurs at a slower pace compared to infancy, with the main characteristic being the lengthening of the lower body, the acquisition of free walking is the starting point for new achievements such as:
- running with gradually improving coordination
- controlled acceleration or deceleration
- changing direction
- jumping from a low height with the feet together
- climbing stairs with alternating feet, as well as descending with one foot at a time with autonomous support
- dexterity in ball games
Also, significant achievements are made in the field of fine skills and graphic motor skills coordination.
He screws, unscrews, folds, unfolds, attempts, not always successfully, to complete his first simple constructions, to handle scissors and at the level of personal care he becomes independent in feeding with a spoon and fork, he manages to undress without help, while he has difficulty dressing.
The lateralization is established. The child can copy a horizontal, vertical line, a cross, but also his first geometric shape, the circle.
The development of verbal communication assists in the child’s socio-emotional maturity. The ability to verbally express his needs and desires results in the improvement of his behavior.
He continues to react strongly but, gradually, approaching the 3rd year of life, the episodes of angry outbursts decrease and he begins to express a range of emotions.
Regarding, of course, social skills, a child at the age of 2 years mainly engages in parallel play.
Essentially, after the age of 2.5 years, he begins to observe with greater interest the play of his peers and to seek, not always, in an appropriate way, interaction with them.
Finally, independence on the toilet is an important milestone in the self-care of each individual.
The training of activities begins when the child is physically and psychologically ready. Control of the fists is acquired earlier in girls than in boys and the training time required varies from child to child.
