Your toddler's development (27 to 28 months)

What can my toddler do now?

By now, your toddler can probably handle small objects with ease. This means he can better satisfy his powerful sense of curiosity.

Small, colourful things with different shapes and textures will fascinate him. Colourful beads, chunky buttons, shells and pebbles are perfect for your toddler to pick through, examine and sort. Just make sure objects are bigger than 3cm in size, so they're not a choking hazard.

His increasing skills are making life easier for him, and for you. Your toddler may now be able to pull off his shoes. He may also be able to hold a cup with one hand.

Your toddler's dexterity with small things is matched by his ability to make big movements. He may even be able to balance on one foot for a second or take a big jump forward with his feet together (Thomson Delmar Learning 2007). Have fun jumping over puddles or onto the next paving stone together. Your toddler will love trying out a physical challenge with your help.

How can I help my toddler to talk?

One thing that will really help your toddler is if you're patient with him. Although he can join in a conversation with you, he'll find it difficult to put together sentences with words in the right order (DoE 2012: 20, Sheridan 2008: 37). What he says may come out jumbled, and that's perfectly normal for this age.

When you ask him a question, give him a good 10 seconds to think about his answer. He'll need the time to put his thoughts into words (DoE 2012: 20). Follow your toddler's lead to talk about what interests him. This will keep him engaged and keen to chat.

How should I deal with my toddler's constant temper tantrums?

Your toddler is learning to cope with his strong emotions and to control his actions. He's still prone to a fair amount of pushing, shoving, yelling and throwing tantrums (Sheridan 2008: 34, Thomson Delmar Learning 2007). This is all part of normal growing up for a toddler. It may reassure you to know that one in five two-year-olds has a temper tantrum every day (DH 2009: 95).

If you see that your toddler is about to launch into a tantrum, try to distract him straight away. Use a toy to get his attention, or point out something out of the window. It doesn't have to be particularly interesting! It just has to be enough to take his mind off his grievance for a few seconds (DH 2009: 95). Chances are he'll forget what was bothering him in the first place.

If you've told your toddler "no" to something, don't give in just to end the tantrum. Otherwise, your toddler will learn that a tantrum is a good way to get what he wants. And that means more tantrums for you to endure.

It's better to stay calm and remove your toddler from the situation. You'll have to be patient and wait for your toddler to calm down too (DH 2009: 95). This can be particularly hard if your toddler's meltdown is a public one, but just grit your teeth and hang in there. You'll probably get plenty of sympathetic glances from passers-by.

How can I help my toddler to follow rules?

Helping your child to understand the "why" of rules will make it easier for him to follow them. Explain that we do some things to stay safe, such as holding hands while crossing the street.

Keep your rules clear and consistent. Be patient while your toddler learns to follow them. Most children will need a lot of gentle reminders. Praise your toddler when he does what you tell him to (Mannheim 2010).

Why does my toddler ignore me when I ask him to come to the table?

Your toddler's attention span is getting longer. This means he may be so absorbed in his play that he'll ignore you when you ask him to do something (Sheridan 2008: 37).

He'll find it easier to leave his game if you tell him in advance. He won't understand the concept of time yet. But, for example, you could tell him: "You can build one more tower. Then we are having tea."

Your toddler may still need a couple of reminders before he moves away from his game (Sheridan 2008: 37). Getting him to listen to you is another challenge you'll face as the parent of a toddler!

When can I start teaching my toddler how to ride a bike?

Not yet. But your toddler will probably enjoy riding a tricycle. He won't necessarily be able to steer and pedal. Instead, he'll propel himself forward with his feet on the ground (Sheridan 2008: 32, Thomson Delmar Learning 2007).

Another option is a balance bike. This is basically a pedal-free bike which is the right height for your toddler to plant both feet on the ground. This type of bike can help your toddler learn how to balance without the need for stabilisers.

A well-fitting helmet is a must, of course, especially if he'll be pushing himself along on pavements.

Your toddler needs at least three hours' physical activity a day. Introducing him to a trike or balance bike is a great way to get him moving.

Take a look at months 29 to 30 to see what your toddler may do next!

Go back to months 25 to 26.

Last reviewed: January 2013


DH. 2009. Birth to five. London: Department of Health. [pdf file, accessed January 2013]


Mannheim, J K. 2010. Toddler Development. Medline. [Accessed January 2013]


Thomson Delmar Learning. 2007. Denver Development Screening Test. [Accessed January 2013]

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