Your Toddler’s Year Three Milestones
(2 ½ Years – 3 Years)
Your toddler’s roadmap to their third birthday is full of even more exciting milestones and mastering new skills. In their third year, they’ll build stronger language skills, use their imagination, and start to better understand social interactions and relationships. These new discoveries and adventures will set them up for a lifetime of learning and exploration!
On this page, you’ll find all of the developmental milestones your toddler should achieve by their third birthday. If you have any questions or concerns about your toddler’s development, reach out to us to schedule a free consultation today.
Your 2 ½-Year-Old’s Developmental Milestones
At 2 ½ years old, your toddler is full of curiosity and newfound independence! This stage of development will show lots of growth as they start forming simple sentences, following directions, and exploring the world with more determination.
You’ll notice their play becoming more imaginative and their social skills taking shape as they interact more with others. Every new milestone brings exciting changes that show just how much they’re learning and growing!
Language & Communication Milestones
- Names the objects or animals in a picture book when you point and ask what it is
- Says about 50 words
- Makes simple sentences with a verb, such as, “Kitty sleep”
- Says pronouns like “me,” “I,” or “mine”
Cognitive Milestones
- Shows simple problem-solving skills, such as standing on a chair to grab something that’s out of reach
- Follows simple instructions with two-steps (i.e., “Grab your blanket and hop in bed”)
- Follows simple routines, like helping to put toys away when you ask
- Uses things to play pretend, like pretending to use a spoon to feed a stuffed animal
- Knows the name of one or more colors and can identify it
Social & Emotional Milestones
- Plays around other children and sometimes plays with them
- Shows off new skills by saying something like, “Watch me!”
Movement Milestones
- Takes off some clothes without help, like socks or a coat
- Jumps with both feet leaving the ground
- Uses hands to twist objects like doorknobs or lids
- Turns the pages in a book during story time
Your 3-Year-Old’s Developmental Milestones
By their third birthday, your toddler is truly coming into their own! You’ll see their personality shine as they carry on conversations, ask plenty of “why” questions, and take part in imaginative play.
You’ll notice their social skills blossom as they make new friends and their physical coordination improves as they jump, climb, and run all over the place. Every milestone reached is a peek into the future of what your toddler can achieve as they continue to grow and master their developmental skills.
Language & Communication Milestones
- Holds simple conversations with at least two back-and-forth exchanges
- Asks questions, like “Where is daddy?” or “What is that?”
- Talks clearly enough for people outside of the home to understand most of the time
- Names an action happening in a picture book, like “eating” or “running,” when you ask what a character is doing
Cognitive Milestones
- Copies your actions to draw a circle
- Avoids touching things that are hot when you warn them
Social & Emotional Milestones
- Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave (at daycare, with a babysitter, etc.)
- Notices other children playing and goes to join them
Movement Milestones
- Puts on some clothes without help, like a jacket or loose pants
- Strings large beads or pieces of macaroni together
Feeding Milestones
- Feeds self with fork and spoon, even if they prefer using their fingers most of the time
- Drinks from a cup without a lid and doesn’t spill
- Chews all foods without choking, even those with tougher textures
Activities Parents Can Do at Home to Support Your Toddler’s Development
Supporting your toddler’s growth at home can be fun and rewarding! Remember, the key is to make learning fun and full of positive encouragement. Here are some simple and engaging activities to help your toddler build their developmental skills:
- Language and Communication Skills: Encourage conversation by asking questions, reading stories together, and singing nursery rhymes. Practice naming objects during everyday activities like grocery shopping or during walks, and encourage your child to tell you what they think or how they feel about things.
- Cognitive Skills: Play with simple puzzles, matching games, and shape-sorting toys to boost problem-solving and memory skills. Counting objects around the house or naming colors during play helps strengthen your toddler’s cognitive development. Encourage them to think about how to solve a problem by asking questions
- Social and Emotional Skills: Play pretend with your toddler using dolls, stuffed animals, or play kitchens to encourage creativity. Set up playdates or group activities where they can practice sharing, taking turns, and playing with other children.
- Movement and Physical Skills: Create obstacle courses at home to promote coordination and balance. Encourage jumping, hopping, and climbing safely during outdoor play, or practice fine motor skills with activities like drawing, building with blocks, or making things out of playdough.
- Feeding Skills: Let your toddler participate in mealtime by having them help with simple tasks like washing vegetables or stirring ingredients. Encourage them to try new foods and describe their tastes, colors, and textures. This can support sensory development and healthy eating habits.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Empower your child to overcome the challenges of retained reflexes with Sensational Development. Give us a call at (516) 799-2900 to schedule an evaluation today and find out how we can help your child achieve a sensational future.
