What is a typical ability of a two-year-old child?

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Study for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Exam with detailed questions, flashcards, and explanations to help you succeed!

A two-year-old child typically exhibits the ability to scribble, which is a significant milestone in their fine motor development. At this age, children are just beginning to explore their motor skills, and scribbling allows them to practice hand-eye coordination and control over their arm and wrist movements. This kind of mark-making is a precursor to more organized drawing and eventually leads to the ability to create recognizable shapes and figures as they continue to develop and refine their skills.

In contrast, drawing detailed pictures, writing letters, and constructing complex shapes require more advanced motor skills and cognitive reasoning. These activities usually emerge later in preschool years when children's dexterity and understanding of symbols mature significantly. Thus, while children may begin to show interest in such activities beyond the age of two, they are not typical abilities for this age group.