Some of your child's most impressive physical developments during this year might seem small — she becomes able to thread beads, to hold a crayon properly, to play with little toys, and to turn pages in a book. Your child may start to pull pants on and be able to stir using a grown-up spoon. While the majority of physical growth occurs before the age of two, with your child's change from baby to toddler the finer points of physical development now manifest themselves.

Before he turned two, your toddler's gait was a side-to-side one, but as this year progresses he starts to walk forward with bigger and longer steps, as well as to walk backward. He relies less on his hands to go up stairs and holds onto railings with more confidence.

Your son's balance also improves, to the extent that he is able to stand on one foot and to move about in various directions. Whereas previously his dancing took the form of an up-and-down, knee-bouncing motion, you now might see him twirling around as he dances.