Year Three Developmental Milestones
As your toddler approaches age three, they are rapidly developing new skills—expanding their vocabulary, solving problems, and asserting their independence. This exciting stage sets the foundation for future learning and social interactions. Understanding these milestones can help you track their progress and provide the right support.
This section covers the major developmental milestones typically observed in the third year of life, broken down by age and skill area. You’ll also find helpful at-home activity suggestions and tips for identifying when it may be time to reach out for support.
At 2½ Years Old: Gaining Independence
At 2½ years old, toddlers are full of curiosity and want more independence. They can form sentences and make their thoughts known and follow multi-step directions. They are more confident about exploring their environment as well as new places and things.
Language Development
- Can point to and name objects or animals in books when asked, demonstrating an expanding vocabulary
- Starts combining 2 or more words in early sentences like “Kitty sleeps”
- Starts using personal pronouns like “me,” “I,” “you” or “mine” to express possession and identity
Cognitive Skills
- Demonstrates early problem-solving abilities, such as looking under items to find something
- Engages in pretend play and uses items as intended, like pretending to slurp soup with an empty spoon
Social and Emotional Growth
- Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
- Will sometimes join others in basic group activities
- Enjoys showing off new skills, often saying “Watch me!” to seek attention
- Understands basic routines when told, such as “time to eat”
Physical and Motor Skills
- Removes some clothing items independently, like shoes and socks
- Able to open most doors and containers and turn pages in age-appropriately sized books
At 3 Years Old: Asking “Why?” and Exploring the World
By their third birthday, your child’s personality shines through. They make their preferences known and ask endless questions. They may engage in storytelling, and show a growing interest in making friends. Using their imagination becomes a favorite pastime as they take on pretend roles in play.
Language Development
- Engages in two or more back-and-forth exchanges in conversation
- Asks questions like “Where are we going?” or “What is that?” to gather information
- Speech is understandable to unfamiliar listeners most of the time
- Identifies actions in picture books and describes what characters are doing, like running or jumping
- Says own name when asked
Cognitive Skills
- Can draw a circle when copying an example, showing improved hand-eye coordination
- Will avoid hot things when warned, such as stepping away from a hot stove
Social and Emotional Growth
- Notices and actively seeks to join other children at play
- Can calm themselves or be calmed within 10 minutes of an upset
Physical and Motor Skills
- Puts on simple clothing items like a jacket or sweat pants without help
- Interested in stacking, stringing, and nesting toys as fine motor coordination improves
- Can string items like beads together
Feeding Skills
- Uses a fork and spoon with increasing skill, though they may still use fingers too
- Drinks from an open cup well
- Chews and swallows a variety of textures, including those that require more chewing
Everyday Activities to Support Development
Everyday living provides many opportunities to nurture your child’s development. Simple activities can boost their skills while strengthening your bond.
Language and Communication
- Talk throughout the day, describing what you’re doing and what they see around them.
- Read together daily, asking open-ended questions about stories to encourage thinking.
- Sing songs and nursery rhymes to enhance vocabulary and listening skills.
Cognitive Growth
- Engage in puzzles, color-sorting, and shape-matching games to develop problem-solving skills.
- Allow them to experiment and figure things out rather than providing immediate answers.
Social and Emotional Development
- Encourage pretend play with dolls, stuffed animals, or toy kitchens.
- Arrange playdates to help practice sharing and cooperation.
- Model positive behavior by using polite words, taking turns, and showing kindness.
Physical and Motor Skills
- Encourage outdoor play like climbing, jumping, and running to build coordination.
- Strengthen fine motor skills with activities like stacking blocks, threading beads, or cutting with child-safe scissors.
Feeding and Mealtime Skills
- Involve your child in food preparation, such as stirring ingredients or setting the table.
- Offer a variety of textures to promote oral motor development and self-feeding confidence.
Is Your Child Meeting These Milestones?
If you feel your child is not meeting these milestones, here are some signs that may indicate a need for additional support:
- Limited speech or difficulty being understood
- Trouble following simple directions
- Difficulty interacting with other children
- Struggles with motor skills like jumping, stacking, or using utensils
If you notice any of these signs, start by observing their play and interactions. Keep track of behaviors that seem delayed and talk to your pediatrician about your observations. Early support can make a big difference. Don’t wait to reach out for guidance if you have concerns about your child’s development.
How Tender Ones Therapy Services Can Help
If you’re unsure if your child is meeting expected milestones appropriately, or if you have any questions, partner with TOTS for your child’s best start! You can schedule your free screening online, call 770-904-6009 or fill out our contact form to begin your child’s journey to success.