Just so I never forget all those details about when Miss Magnolia was just two years old I'm going to document what she's doing now in each area of her development over a couple of posts. This way others can get a glimpse of our little Moo, and we will always be able to look back at exactly who she was at two...
Social/Emotional: Magnolia talks about specific peers frequently as her "friends." She often observes and initiates interactions with children at the park by saying "hi." Magnolia will state that she wants to "play with Parker" (seven year old neighbor) and will then go to the fence and call "Parker!" Magnolia labels her own emotions, and other's emotions that are happy, sad and silly/funny. When upset Maggie often wants to be held, have her pacifier and blanket, or will occasionally attempt to hit others. She is beginning to participate in games with others. She will tell her Daddy to hide in her room, them run to the living room and wait for him to yell "READY," then she will go and open her bedroom door, and search for her daddy. Often after she finds him, she will tell him where to hide next. Magnolia talks about all her family members frequently. She labels her friends and family members in pictures. Magnolia initiates giving hugs and kisses to her family members. Magnolia plays independently, or will ask someone to play with her often by saying "play babies with me."
Cognitive: Magnolia demonstrates understanding of text. She will scribble on paper and state she is writing food items such as milk, bananas, etc. (imitation of writing a grocery list). She scribbles in her notebook often saying things such as "I writing Sara a note." She often scribbles with small marks in an up and down motion and states "I write my M." Magnolia participates in pretend play activities. She has told me she is "going to Moscow" then preceded to sit on the back step and tell me she is driving. Then she got off the step and walked around the patio with her baby stating "I in Moscow!" Magnolia labels the colors brown, red, blue, orange, green, purple, yellow and pink. She labels the heart and circle shapes, and discriminates between a variety of shapes when asked. Magnolia completes complex shape sorters and puzzles with little to no assistance by matching the shape or piece directly then placing it in it's correct spot. Magnolia attends to many age appropriate board books, and is beginning to attend to a variety of longer picture books. Maggie asks questions and makes comments during shared stories. Magnolia labels different letters often associated with words of contextualized meaning (i.e. the first letters of her friends and family's names). Magnolia recognizes different labels and signs. She will often ask to go potty when she sees a restroom sign. She can pick out a familiar box of crackers that she sees among other boxes at the store. Magnolia sings some nursery rhymes along with adults, and will fill in lines or words of other songs such as the U of I fight song.
Adaptive: Magnolia can remove unfastened jackets, socks, shoes, pants, underwear and hats. Magnolia can put on some shoes, underwear, pants and jackets. Magnolia drinks from an open lid cup with no spilling, and uses utensils to feed herself. She occasionally will use a brushing motion to brush her teeth. Magnolia asks for specific food or drink when she is hungry or thirsty. She eats a variety of foods such as salmon, pasta, toast, yogurt, steamed broccoli, many fruits, crackers, etc. Magnolia can scoop from a container to serve herself some food with a large serving spoon. She can poor small amounts of liquid from one container to another. She often requests to wash hands before a meal. Magnolia has complete bowel and bladder control. She will state "I have to go potty" when she needs assistance. Magnolia sleeps in underwear and remains dry all through the night, usually waking once and shouting that she has to go potty for us to assist her. Magnolia sleeps in a crib, and falls asleep without any assistance. She often requests two preferred blankets to sleep with and her pacifier.
