2 Year Check - What to expect

[FickleFairy]

Hi All,

My DS is due his 2 year check soon. Can you tell me what to expect please?

In some ways he is so forward but his speech in particular is a bit behind in my opinion.

Thanks.

x

[stockmumof2]

Hello

Well in our area it was done in a group, just a lot of talking about potty training, diet etc, we all joined in the discussion while the children were observed playing. Then it was just a height and weight measurement with an oppurtunity to talk one-to-one with one of the HVs about any particular concerns.

I had a similar problem with speech, my son had very few words at two but now within three months is speaking in sentences. They do change a lot between two and two and a half (in fact the two year check was dropped here for a while for this reason) but do mention your concerns and you will probably just be asked to see your local HV before two and a half if no improvement. But he will probably start talking when you least expect it!

Hope this helps!

[mum2JRC]

My son had his done about a month ago.

In our area they now use a standardised test that pushes them a bit so you can see where your child is in the following areas:
Locomotor
Manipulative
Visual
Hearing and Language
Speech and Language
Interactive Social
Self Care Social

They then get scored and plotted on a profile form showing what age (in months) they are in each area.

Some of the things my son had to do was a variety of puzzles. Naming items in a book. Colour matching games,role play with the dolly, peg boards etc.
They then finished off weighing and measuring his height.

My son really enjoyed doing the activities and I was surprised at how much he could do

[FickleFairy]

Thank you both for your help, although it has made me a bit more anxious

[Ceebee74]

DS1 was exactly the same - at 2, he could say the odd one word and the very occasional 2-word sentences and I mentioned it to the HV who wasn't overly concerned - within months of his check, he was talking in full sentences and now, 11 months later, his vocab is fantastic and you can have a proper conversation (eg. he will say 'can you help me mummy?' rather than 'help' and 'i want to sit on your lap' rather than 'lap' or even just pointing). Me and DH are amazed at how quickly he has come on since he turned 2 - so don't worry!

Iirc, the check involved the HV producing various things such as crayons for him to draw with, peg board jigsaws for him to do, some small building blocks for him to build a tower with - I think that was it. Other than that, just a general chat with her.

But one of the peg board jigsaws had a piece missing and DS1 did all the pieces then pointed to the empty gap and said 'pigs' - as it turned out the missing piece was pigs which the HV was gobsmacked about - I can only assume they have the same puzzle at nursery but even so, she was amazed that he knew which was the missing piece

[Littlepurpleprincess]

In my area you don't get a 2 year check. just a form in the post, like a check list.

I don't think you need to worry about a 2 year old's speach. 2 year old's don't have great speach, they are learning, give him a chance!

[ilovemydogandmrobama]

DD's check was ridiculous.

HV arrived at my house. Gave DD some crayons and a book. Was b/fing DS at the time. DD meanwhile put crayons and book in washing machine and turned it on

DD was weighed and some comment that she was on 75th percentile for weight. Same H/V had been giving me grief for her being on the bottom of the charts for first 18 months..

H/V didn't have height chart with her. Got a leaflet on potty training and safety in the home...

Bit of a non event....

[Portillista]

Do they really need two-year check-ups? I didn't take my lot for theirs on the grounds that I'd have spoken up long before they were two if I'd thought there was a problem...

[FickleFairy]

That's interesting Portillista, I never even gave it a thought that it was optional.

Everyone says how unbelievably bright DS is and he knows everything I say to him, even the most complicated of things.

He can say approx 40 single words and I must say I am relieved to hear it's peg puzzles as he can do these, I was concerned we were talking proper jigsaws. I am working on colours but so far it's very hit and miss and I think he succeeds more through luck than judgement!

Interesting stuff though, thank you.

[moocowme]

i hope my DS improves as at 20 months he does not speak anything you would understand. You can occasionally get mumum out of him. he does not undersand puzzles. not into crayons or drawing, and as for building towers with blocks he takes great delight at nocking them down but thats it. He is very good at bouncing on the bed tho........

[Littlepurpleprincess]

Sounds like a normal 20 month old to me moocowme. At that age you shouldn't expect him to understand puzzles and knocking the tower down is the fun bit.

So, anyone worried about the 2 year check should make sure they have realistic expectations of what a child that age can actually achieve.