by Nan Keltie

Created on: December 01, 2008   Last Updated: December 02, 2008

It's easy to underestimate two-year olds; their diminutive size will often disguise their abilities. Adventurers and explorers extraordinaire, they are also imitators and investigators who delight in active, imaginative play.

They are also wordsmiths in the making. Between the second and third birthdays, their working vocabulary includes 300-400 words. The number of words they actually understand, however, is closer to 1,000. Just what factors play into the developing mind of two-year-olds and what they understand?

Communication: verbal skills

While they may not be able to put all their thoughts into words, two-year-olds understand a great deal of what they see and hear in the world around them. For this reason, their facial expressions and attempts to express themselves are important. It is during this stage they begin connecting two or three words to form a sentence such as "I go bye-bye."

There are other times, however, that pointing, jabbering, or squealing seem to be the easiest form of expressing oneself. If your two-year-old sees her favorite toy out of reach, she may pull you toward it, pointing and jabbering until you figure out what she wants.

Your little one also understands what you are saying about him (or others) when he hears you talking. For this reason, avoid discussing problems or frustrations (or birthday secrets!) in his presence. Your tone of voice, the names you mention and the topic of discussion are usually understood.

Imitation: mimicking others

Your two-year-old understands what goes on around her and will imitate others. When big brother is doing homework, she'll crawl up to the table and scribble, too. If you're at the kitchen sink, she may pull up a chair and try to assist you. After a trip to the grocery store, your daughter enjoys "shopping" in your kitchen pantry.

Young children also imitate the way we interact with others. Watch how your son leans forward to listen and looks you in the eye. He may copy-cat your own comforting methods by patting you on the back, and offering a band-aid for your boo-boos. He will also mimic your conversations by chattering to his stuffed animals.

Recognition: memory recall

At age two, children recognize people and places by connecting them with past experience. Drive by the golden arches, and they remember they like "appy" meals. Pass the mall and they'll visualize the carousel inside. When Grandpa drops by, they may dash off to find a book or toy connected with their last visit.

Little ones also recognize

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