Around 25–27 months, many toddlers feel like small people with big plans: they may run and climb with purpose, use short phrases to tell you their ideas, line up toys in careful patterns, act out tiny ‘stories’ with dolls or cars, and show firm opinions as their memory, imagination, and sense of humour become stronger.

• By 25–27 months, many toddlers are fully part of family mealtimes, eating a variety of family foods in toddler-sized pieces while milk continues in a pattern that fits your family’s choices and any advice from your health team.
• It is common for toddlers at this age to be quite particular about how food is served, such as preferring certain plates, cups, or food combinations, and many parents find it helpful to keep offering a range of nutritious options without pressure, even when favourite foods change suddenly.
• Letting your toddler help in simple ways, like stirring safe mixtures, placing pieces of fruit on a plate, or choosing between two healthy snacks, can turn mealtimes into small lessons in independence, coordination, and decision-making, even if the floor needs a good wipe afterwards.

• Many toddlers between 25 and 27 months still have one daytime nap and a longer stretch of sleep at night, although nap length and bedtime can vary, and changes in routine, teeth, or new skills can sometimes unsettle sleep for a while.
• A steady evening routine, such as tidying a few toys, having a wash, putting on pyjamas, then sharing a short story or song in low light, can help signal that the busy part of the day is over and it is time to wind down.
• Some toddlers call out with very clear requests at bedtime, such as one more book or one more cuddle, and calm, consistent limits combined with reassuring words and comfort can help them feel safe while understanding that bedtime still means rest.

• At 25–27 months, many toddlers still wear nappies or pull-ups and have several wet changes during the day, and caregivers often keep an eye on overall comfort, regular wetness, and general hydration rather than focusing on exact numbers.
• Poos may still vary in how often they come and how they look, depending on what your toddler eats and drinks, and many families aim for soft, easy-to-pass stools by including fluids and fibre-rich foods as part of everyday meals.
• Some toddlers at this stage show more interest in toileting, such as telling you before or just after they wee or poo, wanting to sit on a potty or toilet with support, or copying bathroom routines, and many parents treat this as gentle learning time rather than a race to be nappy-free.

• Several short bursts of play spread through the day, such as 5–10 minutes of building towers, matching simple pictures, doing inset puzzles, or drawing lines and circles, give plenty of chances for your toddler to practise thinking skills and hand control.
• Spending small pockets of time talking, naming what you see together, counting everyday objects like stairs or grapes, and reading picture books with repeated phrases supports language, memory, and early number sense in a relaxed, playful way.
• Daily active play, such as dancing to music, playing simple chase games, kicking or rolling a ball, or crawling through cushion tunnels for a few minutes at a time, helps build strength, balance, and confidence, and also offers a healthy outlet for the lively energy common at this age.

Sources

• CDC – Important Milestones: Your Child By Two 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.