Around 21–24 months, many toddlers are busy little storytellers on the move: they may run with more control, climb almost anything they can reach, use short phrases to tell you what they want, act out simple pretend scenes with toys, and show strong opinions as their memory, imagination, and sense of self really start to bloom.

• By 21–24 months, many toddlers share most family meals, with foods cut or prepared in a way that is safe for them to handle and chew, while milk feeds continue in a pattern that fits your family’s choices and any advice from your health team.
• It is common for appetite to change from day to day, so one meal may be hardly touched and the next eaten with great enthusiasm, and many parents find it helpful to focus on offering a variety of nutritious foods over several days rather than worrying about each single plate.
• Toddlers at this age often want to feed themselves, so offering chances to use a small spoon or fork, drink from an open cup with support, and sit at the table with others can turn mealtimes into practice for coordination, social skills, and independence, even when it gets messy.

• Many toddlers between 21 and 24 months still have one daytime nap and a longer stretch of sleep at night, although the exact pattern can vary, and changes such as growing independence or new skills can temporarily affect how easily they settle.
• A familiar wind-down routine in the evening, like tidying toys, having a quiet wash, putting on pyjamas, then sharing a short story or song, often helps signal that the busy part of the day is over and sleep is coming.
• Some toddlers call out more at bedtime or wake in the night wanting reassurance, and steady, calm responses using the same words and steps each time can help them feel secure while understanding that night-time is for resting.

• At this age, many toddlers still wear nappies or pull-ups, with several wet changes over the day, and caregivers often keep an eye on general signs of comfort, such as regular wetness, alert behaviour, and drinking through the day.
• Poos may come several times a day or less often, and the texture often reflects what they have eaten; soft, easy-to-pass stools are usually more comfortable than very hard ones, so families often offer fluids and fibre-rich foods as part of everyday meals.
• Some toddlers around 21–24 months start to notice when they are weeing or pooing, show interest in the potty or toilet, or tell you when they need a change; many parents simply follow the child’s curiosity, talk about what is happening in a relaxed way, and wait for clear signs of readiness before starting any toileting routine.

• Several short playtimes spread through the day, such as 5–10 minutes of building towers, fitting simple puzzles, drawing lines and circles, or sorting toys into baskets, can give plenty of chances for your toddler to practise problem-solving and fine hand skills.
• Spending a few moments, a few times a day, talking together, naming what you both see, counting small groups of objects, and reading picture books with repeated phrases helps build language, early number sense, and listening in a relaxed, fun way.
• Daily active play, such as dancing to music, playing chase in a safe space, kicking a ball back and forth, or crawling through homemade tunnels for a few minutes at a time, supports strength, balance, and confidence, and also gives an outlet for the big energy common at this age.

Sources

• CDC – Milestones by 2 Years
• UNICEF – Your toddler’s developmental milestones at 2 years
• NHS – Early learning and development
• WHO – Nurturing care for early childhood development

This content is general information only and is not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby, contact your midwife, health visitor, paediatrician, or local emergency service.