Developmental Milestones at 30 months and 3 years

30 months (2.5 years)

  • Plays next to other children
  • Sometimes plays with other children
  • Showing what he/she can do by saying “Look at me!”
  • Follows simple routines when told (cleaning up toys)
  • Says about 50 words
  • Says two or more words together (with one action word) “doggie run”
  • Names things in a book/ from a picture when you point and ask
  • Says pronouns, like “I” “me” We”.
  • Uses things for pretend play (feeding a doll with a block)
  • Shows simple problem-solving skills
  • Follows two-step directions
  • Shows the understanding of colours
  • Jumps off the ground with both feet
  • Uses hands to twist objects (doorknobs/ unscrewing lids)
  • Takes clothes off by him/herself (loose pants or open jacket)
  • Turns book pages when you read to him/her

3 years

  • Calms down within 10 minutes when you leave him/her (to childcare/ grandparent house etc)
  • Notices other children and joins them to play
  • Engages in more vivid pretend play
  • Talks with you in a conversation using at least two back-to-forth exchanges
  • Ask “who”, “what”, “where”, and “why” questions
  • Says what action is happening in a picture/ book when being asked about
  • Says first name, age and sex when asked.
  • Converse with an understandable language most of the time when talking
  • Able to draw a circle, with demonstration(s)
  • Avoids touching/ reaching to hot objects when being warned
  • Understand “you” and “me”
  • Will walk on tiptoes when shown
  • Walks upstairs with alternate feet; put both feet on the steps when coming down
  • Start peddling tricycle
  • Strings items (large beads, blocks) together
  • Puts on some clothes by him/herself
  • Uses a fork to eat
  • snips with scissors

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Bjorklund, D. F. (2022). Children′ s thinking: Cognitive development and individual differences. Sage publications.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). CDC’s Developmental Milestones. doi: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html/.

HealthHub. (n.d.). Is My Child Development Normally?. DOI: https://www.healthhub.sg/

Malik F, Marwaha R. Developmental Stages of Social Emotional Development In Children. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island (FL); 2022. PMID: 30521240.

NHS. (n.d.) Child Development Milestones. doi: https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/advice/staying-safe/childhood-development/milestones/.

Smet. N & Lucas. C.A. (2015). Occupational Therapy View of Child Development. In J Case-Smith & J.C. O’Brien. (2015). Occupational therapy for children and adolescents. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier.

SBCC. (2022). Developmental milestone checklist. doi: https://www.sbcc.sg/developmental-milestone-checklist/.