AGE 2 TO 3 YEARS: MOVEMENT

At this age, your child will seem to be continually on the go, running, kicking, climbing jumping. Her attention span, which was never particularly lengthy, may now seem even shorter. Try starting a game with her, and she'll immediately change to a different one. Head in one direction and she'll quickly detour to another. This yearlong energy spurt between ages 2 and 3 will certainly keep you on the go. But take heart, her activity level will strengthen her body and develop her coordination.

In the months ahead, her running will become smoother and more coordinated. She'll also learn to kick and direct the motion of a ball, walk up and down steps by herself while holding on, and seat herself confidently in a child-size chair. With a little help, she'll even be able to stand on one leg.

Watch your 2-year-old walk, and you'll see how she has cast aside the stiff, spread-legged gait of a young toddler, replacing it with a more adult, heel-to-toe motion. In the process, she's become much more adept at maneuvering her body, capable of walking backward and turning corners that are not too sharp. She also can do other things as she moves, such as using her hands, talking and looking around.

Don't worry about finding activities that will help your child develop her motor skills. She'll probably be able to do that herself. When you are able to join in the fun, bear in mind that children this age love piggyback rides, rolling on mats, going down small slides, and climbing with help on the floor-level balance beam. The more running and climbing your games involve, the better.

If you can, set aside specific times during the day when she can go outside to run, play and explore. This will help minimize wear and tear on the inside of the house as well as on your nerves. It's also safer for her to run around in the open than to bump into walls and furniture inside. While outdoors, let her use the yard, playground or park, whichever is most available and safe for her. But be aware that because her self-control and judgment lag considerably behind her motor skills, you must remain vigilant and keep safety and injury prevention high on your priority list at all times.

Hand and Finger Skills

At age 2, your child will be able to manipulate small objects with ease. He'll turn the pages of a book, build a tower six blocks high, pull off his shoes and unzip a large zipper. He'll also coordinate the movements of his wrist, fingers and palm so well that he can turn a doorknob, unscrew a jar lid, use a cup with one hand, and unwrap paper from a candy.

One of his major accomplishments this year will be learning to "draw." Hand him a crayon and watch what happens. He'll place his thumb on one side of it and his fingers on the other, then awkwardly try to extend his index or middle finger toward the point. Clumsy as this grip may seem, it will give him enough control to create his first artistic masterpieces, using sweeping vertical and circular strokes.

Fortunately, your child's quiet play at this age will be much more focused than it was at 18 months, when he was "into everything." His attention span is longer, and now that he can turn pages, he'll be an active participant as you look at books or magazines together. He'll also be interested in activities such as drawing, building or manipulating objects, so blocks and interlocking construction sets may keep him entertained for long periods. And if you let him loose with a box of crayons or a set of fingerpaints, his creative impulses will flourish.