Growth and development at 28 months old
There is more practice this month with fine motor skills. They’re able to pick up small objects and place them down with precision. Running, jumping, hopping, and skipping skills will improve—literally in leaps and bounds! Your toddler’s speech will also be expanding but don’t expect to always understand what they are saying. They will be able to join 5 or more words together in a sentence. If you have a girl, you may notice she is a little more advanced with her speech and language than boys of her age. Variations in development are common between sexes because of the differences in brain physiology.
Play and interaction at 28 months old
Your 28-month-old will benefit from being outside. Gross motor activity will tire them out and help them fall asleep. It will also boost their appetite and make mealtimes more pleasant because they’ll likely eat. Take them with you when you go outside; you can keep an eye on them and involve them in whatever you’re doing. Get them to “help” you with pulling the weeds, watering the garden, and looking for flowers. Play for this age group does not need to be complex. Play is your toddler’s work. Look for activities, rather than structure, that they can engage in.
What You can expect at 28 months old
Food and nutrition at 28 months old
Some toddlers drink so much milk that it impacts on their appetite for other needed foods. Milk is low in iron and anemia is a common condition at this age. Occasionally, a blood test will be needed and iron supplements prescribed. It can take a long time for a child’s red blood cell count to improve with increased dietary iron and supplements are often necessary.
This may be the month when the highchair gets packed away and a booster seat is added to the table. It is very important to include your children in mealtime conversation, but do not let them monopolize it. Encourage everyone to take a turn in talking about their day. For busy families, mealtimes may be the only time when everyone can connect with each other. Make it a household rule that the television and cellphones are off and the focus is on the food and people.
Keeping your toddler healthy at 28 months old
General tips
- Try to have some special one-on-one time each day with your children. This does not have to take long. Investing in these quality interactions is a good way of building your relationship. While you’re at it, try to find 30 minutes for yourself as well.
- No matter what your 28-month-old tells you, they still need a daytime rest. Even if they don’t fall asleep, some quiet time on their bed with a book is essential—for everyone’s sake!
- Make a point of putting a hat on your toddler’s head before they go outside to play, no matter if it’s cold or hot. Remind them that they can’t be outside without one and you’re unlikely to have too much of an argument.
- If you have a new baby in the family, show your toddler what gentle handling is and praise their attempts. Aim to give special loving attention to the toddler as well so they don’t feel they are being left out.
- Expect some deterioration in their behavior when a new sibling is born. Baby talk is common, as is forgetting everything they’ve learnt about toilet training.
The information of this article has been reviewed by nursing experts of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, & Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). The content should not substitute medical advice from your personal healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations/diagnosis or treatment. For more advice from AWHONN nurses, visit Healthy Mom&Baby at health4mom.org.