Watching my daughter grow and learn every day is an incredible experience. She just turned two, yet she already amazes us with her abilities, her understanding, and the way she picks up new skills so quickly. One of her favorite activities right now is playing with a Ravensburger puzzle meant for children aged three and up. While many toddlers her age are still mastering simpler toys, she confidently studies each piece, knows exactly where it should go, and places it with remarkable accuracy. It’s as if she has a mental image of the completed puzzle and knows how to put it together before she even starts.
Her memory is something that continues to impress us. She doesn’t just randomly try different pieces until something fits—she remembers exactly where each piece belongs. Even if she hasn’t played with the puzzle for a while, she picks it up again and places the pieces as if she’s been doing it for years. It’s not just trial and error; she actually seems to recall the shapes and patterns. Watching her little mind work in this way makes me wonder how her abilities will continue to develop as she grows.
Of course, she’s still a toddler, and patience is not always her strong suit. When a piece doesn’t fit right away, she sometimes gets frustrated. She lets out a sound of annoyance or even tosses the piece aside for a moment. But then, after a short break, she picks it up again and tries another way. This persistence—despite her moments of frustration—is a wonderful thing to see. It means she cares about getting it right and doesn’t give up completely, even if she needs a little time to regroup.
Her understanding of language is another thing that amazes us daily. It’s clear that she doesn’t just hear words—she truly understands them. We can give her instructions with multiple steps, and she follows them without hesitation. If I tell her to bring me her toy from the table and then go get her cup, she does it immediately. If I mention something we’ll do later, she remembers and brings it up at just the right moment. It’s like she’s storing every little piece of information and pulling it out when she needs it.
Her vocabulary is also growing at an incredible pace. While many two-year-olds are still building up to short phrases, she already knows more than 200 words and strings them together in ways that surprise us. She names objects, describes what she sees, and responds to questions in a way that shows real understanding. When she plays with her puzzle, she doesn’t just silently work on it—she talks about the pictures, naming animals or objects and making connections. But one of the cutest things is how she responds when she successfully places a puzzle piece. She doesn’t say, “I did it” yet, but she enthusiastically says, “Yes, yes!” as if confirming to herself that she got it right. It’s a small but adorable detail that makes every moment with her even more special.
Her current biggest obsession is sharks and dinosaurs. She absolutely loves them and has a unique way of categorizing them in her mind. Instead of just calling them “shark” or “dinosaur,” she assigns them roles—mommy, daddy, baby, Oma, Opa, Tita. It’s fascinating to see how she organizes things in her own way, already forming connections and creating relationships between the things she loves. It shows an early understanding of how things relate to each other, which is quite advanced for her age.
At two years old, children typically reach a variety of milestones, marking their growing independence and cognitive abilities. By this age, most toddlers can run, climb, and kick a ball. They engage in pretend play, mimicking everyday activities like cooking, feeding dolls, or talking on a toy phone. Their fine motor skills improve as they turn pages in books, stack blocks, and attempt to dress themselves. Language skills also expand rapidly—many two-year-olds speak at least 50 words and begin to form two- or three-word sentences. My daughter has already surpassed many of these typical milestones, not just in speech but also in memory, comprehension, and problem-solving.
Problem-solving is a major skill that develops at this stage, and puzzles are an excellent way to encourage it. Many toddlers enjoy experimenting with how things work, testing cause and effect by pressing buttons, stacking objects, or attempting simple puzzles. The way my daughter approaches her Ravensburger puzzle is particularly impressive—she isn’t just guessing where pieces go; she remembers their correct spots after only seeing them once or twice. It’s a level of recall and problem-solving ability that seems well beyond what’s expected for her age.
Her fine motor skills are also improving as she picks up the small puzzle pieces, rotates them, and places them correctly. These precise finger movements are strengthening the muscles she will later use for writing, drawing, and more advanced tasks. Every time she works on a puzzle, she’s not just playing—she’s building the foundation for essential skills she’ll use for the rest of her life.
Beyond the cognitive and physical skills she’s developing, what I love most is seeing how much joy she gets from learning. The excitement on her face when she places a puzzle piece correctly is priceless. She looks at me, says “Yes, yes!” with bright eyes, and moves on to the next piece with so much enthusiasm. She enjoys the challenge, even if it sometimes frustrates her, and that’s such a wonderful attitude to see in a young child.
Of course, every child develops at their own pace. Some focus more on physical activity, others on social interactions, and some, like my daughter, seem to have an exceptional memory and problem-solving ability. No matter what, the most important thing is that she is engaged, happy, and excited about learning.
Every puzzle piece she places, every new word she speaks, and even every moment of frustration is another step in her incredible journey. It’s an amazing privilege to watch her grow, to see her little mind working, and to support her as she discovers the world around her. I can only imagine what new skills she will surprise us with next, but for now, I’m cherishing every moment, one puzzle piece at a time.
