Two-Year Well Child Visit in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Maternal and Child Health – Visit 9

At your child’s two-year well visit in Grand Rapids, your pediatric provider or maternal and child health nurse will review your toddler’s growth, health, behavior, and development, and begin talking about preschool and kindergarten readiness.

This visit is an important milestone in your child’s early years and helps make sure they are on track as they grow up in West Michigan’s unique environment—cold, snowy winters, active outdoor summers, and plenty of opportunities for play and learning.

What Happens at the Two-Year Visit?

During your two-year maternal and child health visit in Grand Rapids, your healthcare provider (often at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or your local pediatric clinic) will typically:

  • Measure height, weight, and head circumference
  • Check vision and hearing concerns (through questions and observation)
  • Review your child’s eating, sleeping, and toileting habits
  • Talk about behavior, including tantrums, separation anxiety, and independence
  • Screen for developmental milestones (speech, movement, social skills)
  • Review immunization status and upcoming vaccines
  • Discuss preschool and future kindergarten enrollment in the Grand Rapids area

You can also bring up any questions about raising a toddler in Michigan’s climate, such as winter safety, indoor activity ideas, and staying active during long cold months.

Developmental Screening: PEDS Questions

Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS)

You may be asked to complete a Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) or a similar developmental screening tool before or during the visit. This is a brief questionnaire that helps your provider understand:

  • How your child is talking and understanding
  • How they move and play
  • How they interact with you and others
  • Any concerns you have about their development or behavior

Complete the Questions Before Your Appointment

If your clinic sends you forms ahead of time (online or on paper), try to complete them before your visit. This helps your Grand Rapids pediatric provider:

  • Focus on your main concerns
  • Identify any developmental delays early
  • Connect you with local resources, such as early intervention services in Kent County

Remember, the questionnaire is not a test of your parenting. It’s a tool to help your child get the best possible start.

What Your Toddler Is Doing at This Age

Key Age and Stage: Growing Independence

Around two years old, children are becoming more independent and curious. They love to explore Grand Rapids parks, libraries, and playgroups, and to share their interests with family, friends, and people in the community.

Many two-year-olds:

  • Run and climb
  • Enjoy copying you (like sweeping, wiping tables, or pretending to cook)
  • Dress up or pretend (feeding a doll, driving toy cars, pretending to talk on the phone)
  • Start using two- to three-word sentences (e.g., “more milk,” “mommy help,” “go outside”)
  • Have tantrums to express frustration or strong feelings

If your child isn’t doing some of these things yet, your Grand Rapids provider can help you decide whether this is within the range of normal or if further evaluation is helpful.

When to Tell Your Nurse or Doctor

At the two-year visit, be sure to tell your provider if your toddler:

  • Is not running or seems very unsteady
  • Does not come to you for affection or comfort
  • Does not seem to understand simple instructions (e.g., “come here,” “give me the ball”)
  • Is not putting any words together (no short phrases like “more juice,” “daddy up”)
  • Does not enjoy pretend play (no make-believe games, not copying everyday activities)

Early support can make a big difference. In Grand Rapids, your provider can refer you to:

  • Early intervention services through Kent County
  • Local speech, occupational, or physical therapists
  • Developmental specialists at major health systems such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids

Activity Ideas for Two-Year-Olds in Grand Rapids

Everyday Activities That Support Development

You don’t need special toys to help your child learn. Simple, everyday activities are powerful:

  • Talk about everyday things
    Describe what you’re doing while cooking, cleaning, or driving:
    “We’re putting on your coat; it’s cold outside in Michigan,” or
    “We’re going to the store on 28th Street.”

  • Play outside

    • Go for short walks in your neighborhood
    • Visit local parks like Riverside Park, Millennium Park, or neighborhood playgrounds
    • In winter, let them stomp in snow, watch snowplows, or help brush snow off the car (with supervision)

  • Visit the library or playgroup

    • Explore Grand Rapids Public Library story times
    • Join local playgroups or parent–child programs through community centers or churches

  • Sing and dance together

    • Play music and let your child dance, clap, and move
    • Sing simple songs and nursery rhymes, especially on cold days when you’re indoors

  • Read together daily

    • Encourage your toddler to turn the pages of books
    • Talk about what they see: “Where is the dog? What color is the car?”
    • Use board books and picture books from local libraries or book programs

These routine activities support language, movement, social skills, and emotional development.

Health Topics to Discuss at the Two-Year Visit

Your Grand Rapids maternal and child health visit may also cover:

  • Healthy eating

    • Limiting sugary drinks and snacks
    • Offering fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
    • Helping your child learn to enjoy Michigan seasonal produce when available

  • Dental care

    • Brushing teeth twice a day with a small smear of fluoride toothpaste
    • When to see a pediatric dentist in Grand Rapids
    • Avoiding going to bed with bottles or sugary drinks

  • Sun safety and outdoor play

    • Using sunscreen and hats in summer, especially near water and reflective surfaces in the Great Lakes region
    • Protecting skin even on cool, sunny days

  • Injury prevention

    • Proper car seat use (rear-facing as long as possible, according to guidelines)
    • Childproofing your home (stairs, windows, medicines, cleaning products)
    • Water safety around pools, lakes, and rivers in West Michigan

  • Immunizations

    • Reviewing vaccines your child has already received
    • Planning for upcoming vaccines before preschool or kindergarten

  • Family relationships and wellbeing

    • Managing stress, work–life balance, and parenting challenges
    • Supporting siblings and co‑parenting
    • Mental health support for parents and caregivers

How Often Should We Visit?

Many Grand Rapids pediatric providers and maternal and child health services follow a schedule of visits at key ages, such as:

  • Following discharge from hospital (newborn home visit)
  • 2 weeks
  • 4 weeks
  • 8 weeks
  • 4 months
  • 8 months
  • 1 year
  • 18 months
  • 2 years
  • 3½ years (and yearly well visits thereafter)

Your family can also access care between these visits by:

  • Calling your pediatrician or family doctor
  • Attending a nurse clinic or community health center
  • Using telehealth options offered by many Grand Rapids health systems

Most clinics offer scheduled appointments, some same‑day or walk‑in hours, and limited after‑hours or urgent care options.

Early Start, Preschool, and Kindergarten in Grand Rapids

At the two-year visit, your provider may begin talking about:

  • Preschool options (including three-year-old programs and Head Start)
  • Kindergarten readiness and what skills help children succeed
  • How to support:
    • Listening and following simple directions
    • Playing with other children
    • Sharing, taking turns, and using words to express needs

Your provider can guide you to local early childhood programs and Kent County educational resources to help you plan ahead.

Local Help and Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you have concerns about your child’s health or development, or need parenting support, you can contact:

Medical and Pediatric Care

  • Your GP / Primary Care Provider / Pediatrician
    • Many families in Grand Rapids receive care through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or independent pediatric practices.

Public Health and Community Services

  • Kent County Health Department
    Offers maternal and child health programs, immunizations, nutrition support, and developmental resources.
    Website: search “Kent County Health Department Maternal and Child Health”

  • Grand Rapids Public Health and Community Clinics
    Provide family planning, child health services, and referrals to local support programs.

Parenting and Support Lines

  • Parenting and Family Support Hotlines
    Check Michigan statewide resources and local agencies for:

    • Parenting advice
    • Mental health support
    • Domestic violence and crisis support

  • Early Intervention / Early On Michigan
    If there are concerns about your child’s development, your provider can refer you to Early On or similar early intervention programs serving Grand Rapids and Kent County.

  • Language and Accessibility Services
    Many Grand Rapids health systems offer:

    • Interpreter services for families who speak languages other than English
    • Hearing and speech support, including relay services for phone calls

Contact your clinic or hospital directly to request these services when you schedule your appointment.

Preparing for Your Two-Year Visit

To make the most of your appointment:

  • Bring your child’s immunization record and any growth or health booklets you use.
  • Write down questions or concerns, including:
    • Speech and language
    • Behavior and tantrums
    • Eating, sleep, or potty training
    • Safety at home and outdoors in Michigan weather
  • Bring a favorite toy or snack to help your toddler feel comfortable.
  • Ask about local programs (playgroups, parenting classes, early childhood education) in Grand Rapids.

Your two-year maternal and child health visit is a chance to check that your child is healthy, safe, and thriving—and to connect with the many Grand Rapids and Kent County resources available to support your family.