What is the primary developmental milestone expected at age 2?

The primary developmental milestone expected at age 2 is vocabulary expansion to approximately 200 words and the use of two-word phrases. At this age, children experience significant growth in their language abilities. By the end of their second year, many toddlers can effectively use a larger vocabulary and start to combine words, forming simple phrases. This development is crucial as it lays the foundation for more complex language skills and effective communication as they grow.

While beginning to run and climb is indeed an important physical milestone for toddlers, it is generally associated with earlier development and less specific than the language skills expected around age 2. Similarly, completing simple puzzles and understanding basic pull and push concepts are skills that typically develop later or are not as well-defined as the milestone involving language expansion. Thus, the focus on vocabulary and phrase development marks a critical developmental leap, making it the most significant milestone at this age.