Which of the following is true about the developmental characteristics of 2-year-olds?

The developmental characteristics of 2-year-olds indicate that at this age, children begin to form social connections and friendships. This is a critical stage in their social development, where they start to engage more with their peers and become interested in parallel play, where they play alongside other children, often imitating their actions or sharing toys. This growing interest in peer interaction is an essential precursor to more complex social relationships in later years.

By contrast, the other statements don't accurately capture the social and communication growth observed in 2-year-olds. For example, at this age, many children can begin to follow simple directions and express themselves more clearly, even if their speech might sometimes be difficult to understand. Additionally, while some children may still engage in solitary play, many also experience a shift towards enjoying interactions with other children. The ability to make friends and interact socially marks significant progress in their development, highlighting the importance of play and socialization at this stage.