A nurse is evaluating the developmental level of a 2-year-old. Which of the following would you expect to observe?

• A. Pours own milk into a cup
• B. Uses a cup to drink
• C. Uses a knife for cutting food
• D. Uses a fork to eat

Answer: (B)

Self-help skills and fine motor coordination in toddlers focus on autonomy during feeding. By age two, a child should be able to drink from a cup independently, showing growing control of the hands and mouth and a move away from spoon-only feeding toward more self-directed drinking. This milestone reflects the emerging dexterity and independence typical at this age, even if spills are common.

Pouring from a pitcher or small jug demands more precise motor control and planning, which usually develops a bit later, so pouring milk into a cup isn’t yet reliably observed at this age. Using a knife to cut food is beyond what’s expected due to safety and coordination needs, generally not seen until preschool years. While some two-year-olds may start using a fork, many are still transitioning to cooperative utensil use, making the ability to drink from a cup the most consistent and expected milestone at this age.