What social-emotional milestone should a child meet by 2 years?

The social-emotional milestone that a child should meet by 2 years is the ability to play alongside peers. At this stage of development, children begin to engage in parallel play, where they play in close proximity to other children but do not yet actively engage in cooperative play. This reflects an important aspect of social development, as children start to recognize and respond to the presence of others while still being more focused on their individual activities.

Imitating adult actions is also a relevant skill but is typically expected a bit earlier, often around 15 to 18 months. Sharing toys with others is a more advanced social skill that usually develops later, as children at this age are still learning about possession and often do not fully grasp the concept of sharing until around age 3. The lack of pointing is not a social-emotional skill; rather, it relates more to early communication development. Therefore, playing alongside peers is the correct milestone, reflecting the beginning of social interaction and awareness in toddlers.