Months 25-27 Development & Milestones

Watching your toddler as they approach the two-and-a-half-year mark is an incredible (albeit, at times frustrating!) experience filled with pride and wonder. Around 25 to 27 months, children undergo developments that help to pave the way for more independence and complex learning abilities.

It’s so exciting to see toddlers become more interactive and expressive, showing more and more glimpses of their emerging personality and capabilities. Join us as we guide you through the milestones to look out for and strategies to support your child’s journey.

Physical Development

25 Months: Girls typically weigh about 11.7 kg and are around 86.6 cm tall, while boys may weigh about 12.4 kg and stand on average 88 cm tall.

26 Months: Weight and height increments continue with girls reaching around 11.9 kg and 87.4 cm, and boys average 12.5 kg and 88.8 cm.

27 Months: By the end of this period, girls often weigh about 12.1 kg and measure about 88.3 cm in height, whereas boys have an average weight of 12.7 kg and reach around 89.6 cm.

Cognitive Development

At this stage, you may notice your little one making strides in problem-solving, memory, and attention span. Here’s a closer look at the cognitive milestones you can expect to see around this period:

• Body Parts: Your little one can probably point to and name many body parts, showing their understanding of their own body. They might proudly point to their nose, ears, or toes and enjoy the interaction!
• Naming Objects: They enthusiastically point to and name common objects, eager to show off their expanding vocabulary. This activity helps them connect words to the world around them, giving them greater understanding.
• Absorption in Activities: They may become completely absorbed in their favourite activities, showing impressive concentration. Whether it’s building a tower or drawing, their focus sometimes can’t be disturbed!
• Creating Words: When they don’t know a word, they often invent their own, demonstrating their creative use of language. This creativity is an adorable way they express their thoughts and ideas.

Suggested Activities

Encourage their mental development by engaging in conversations, reading books together, and playing games that involve naming objects and body parts. Providing a rich language environment helps them expand their vocabulary and communication skills.

Emotional & Social Development

Between 25 and 27 months, get ready for a whirlwind of emotions! Your toddler’s feelings will become more complex, and yes, there might be a few more tantrums in the mix. But on the bright side, their social interactions are becoming more intentional and meaningful. Here are some emotional and social milestones typical for toddlers at this stage:

• Independence: They strive for independence, often insisting, “me do it!” Encourage their efforts to do things on their own to build confidence!
• Curiosity: The curiosity toddlers exhibit about everything can be overwhelming but is a sign of healthy development! Provide safe opportunities for exploration to satisfy their inquisitive nature.
• Expressing Emotions: They make their feelings very apparent, whether happy or grumpy, helping them learn to express and understand their emotions. You’ll see big smiles or dramatic frowns as they learn to express their feelings.
• Biting: Occasionally, they might bite when angry or frustrated. Address this behaviour calmly and consistently to teach appropriate ways to express emotions. It’s a normal phase that needs gentle guidance (and a bit of patience!).
• Overstimulation: Toddlers can become overstimulated as they can’t quite tune out sights, sounds, and sensations. Create a calm environment to help them manage sensory input.
• Testing Limits: They test limits but respond well to consistent, reasonable discipline. Set clear boundaries and enforce them gently but firmly. This helps them learn what is acceptable behaviour!
• Routine: A consistent schedule of daily activities helps them feel secure and understand what to expect, which can help reduce anxiety and behavioural issues. Routine provides a comforting structure to their day!

Suggested Activities

How about a fun game where you and your child take turns making faces to express different emotions? First, you make a face and your child guesses the emotion. Then, switch it up and let them have a go! This game not only adds a bit of fun to your day but also boosts their ability to recognise and understand feelings.

Language & Communication

Between the 2nd and 3rd birthday, get ready for a language leap! Here’s a look at the language and communication milestones you can expect during these months:

• Word Accumulation: By this age, your toddler might have a pretty impressive vocabulary! You’ll notice them using their new words more confidently every day, chattering on about all the little things they notice around them.
• Word Creation: If they lack the exact word to express a concept or object, tots often invent their own words. This creative use of language is not only adorable but also a significant indication of their understanding of language as a tool for communication.
• Listening to Conversations: They start to pay close attention to conversations around them, picking up new words and phrases. This keen listening helps them learn more about the world and improves their communication skills!
• Naming Objects: Watch as your little one enthusiastically points to and names common objects, eager to show off their expanding vocabulary!
• Constant Chatter: Your child chatters constantly, practising their speaking skills and enjoying the sound of their own voice. This constant babble is not only adorable but also crucial for their language practice.

Suggested Activities

Gently correcting their mistakes, adding to their sentences, and introducing them to different speaking settings can really boost their language skills! Turn daily activities into mini language lessons. Chat about what you’re doing as you go about your day, describe objects around the house, or sing familiar tunes together.

Sensory & Motor Skills

During the 25 to 27-month period, toddlers make big strides in both their sensory and motor skills, which are important for their overall development. Here’s a closer look at the key developments in these areas:

• Running and Jumping: Expect your toddler to run more smoothly than before, showing better balance and coordination. Jumping with both feet off the ground is an exciting new skill that most children are thrilled to practise! However, they may still trip or have difficulty coming to a stop due to their ongoing motor skill development.
• Climbing Skills: Climbing becomes a favourite activity, and you might find your toddler attempting to scale nearly anything they can! While their climbing skills improve, they may still require help when it comes to safely getting down from higher places.
• Peripheral Vision: As their peripheral vision improves, it might mean your little one gets distracted more easily by things going on around them.
• Engagement with Books: Expect your little one to show more interest in picture books, looking at them more intently and handling them with curiosity. This not only improves visual focus but also supports language development as they begin to link images with words!

Suggested Activities

Simple everyday routines, such as brushing teeth, washing hands, and dressing themselves, do wonders for promoting independence while sharpening their fine motor control and coordination. Begin by showing them how it’s done, step-by-step, and then gradually step back and let them take the lead.

Feeding & Nutrition

As the fast pace of growth starts to slow down after their second birthday, you might notice a corresponding decrease in their appetite. This is totally normal as their nutritional needs begin to match their slower growth pace.

You might be considering whether to start limiting your toddler’s intake of fat and cholesterol to prevent future health issues. It’s often suggested to switch from full-fat to reduced-fat dairy products after the 2nd birthday. A chat with your paediatrician can give you tailored advice to fit your child’s specific needs.

Establishing regular meal and snack times helps create a comforting routine that can improve how your toddler eats. It provides structure and sets expectations, making meal times a smooth, enjoyable part of the day.

Continue to serve diverse recipes to make sure your toddler gets all the nutrients they need. This not only supports their growth but also introduces them to new flavours and textures. Maybe your fussy eater will wind up liking something new!

Sleep Patterns

Toddlers around this age typically need about 11 to 14 hours of sleep each day, naps included. You might face a few hurdles like bedtime resistance or nighttime wake-ups as they become more tuned into their surroundings. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine and creating a calming sleep environment can really help smooth out these bumps.

Health & Safety

As your toddler becomes more mobile and curious, making sure your home is a safe space becomes key. This may mean anchoring furniture to prevent tipping, covering electrical outlets, installing safety gates on stairs, and keeping hazardous substances well out of reach.

Make sure any playground equipment is appropriate for their age and safe to use, ensure there are soft surfaces to land on, and always keep a close watch near water, including pools and beaches.

Following the Australian Government Childhood Immunisation Schedule, no vaccines are due during this time frame. Your little one should still get their yearly flu shot, which is free for children under the age of 5.

When to Speak to Your Paediatrician

Every child develops at their own pace, and it’s normal for our little ones to reach milestones at different times. However, if you notice your child isn’t meeting their milestones at all, it could signal a developmental delay.

Regular check-ups with your doctor or a child health nurse can help ensure your baby is progressing well and provide peace of mind. These check-ups are the perfect time to bring up any developmental concerns you might have.

If you just need an ear to listen, give our Careline a ring. We’re here to help.

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