Ensuring your child is progressing developmentally is crucial for their overall well-being and future success. Early detection of delays allows for timely intervention, fostering skills in speech, motor functions, and social interactions. By monitoring their growth, you can help your child reach their full potential and navigate each developmental milestone with confidence. We expect to see the following milestones for children ages 30 to 36 months:
Cognitive
- States whether boy or girl
- Stacks rings on peg in order of size
- Can count to five
- Completes three-to-four-piece puzzle
- Can match objects by color, shape, and size
- Builds bridge using three blocks with adult model
Communication
- Understands big and little
- Can describe what he or she is doing
- Responds to “who,” and “whose” questions
- Asks “what” or “where” questions
- Understands “beside” and “under”
Social-Emotional
- Shows affection to younger children by hugging and kissing
- Repeats rhymes, songs, or dances for others
- Changes activities when requested
- Interacts appropriately with others during group activities
- Shows independent (e.g., doesn’t want hand held)
Adaptive
- Can pour milk/juice with some assistance
- Daytime control of toileting needs, occasional accidents
- Gets drink of water unassisted
- Brushes teeth independently
- Knows where own possessions are kept
Physical Development
- Threads small beads on string
- Snips paper with scissors
- Walks forward heel to toe
- Stands on one food for a few seconds
- Kicks a stationary ball at least 6 feet
Notes:
Folio, M.R., & Fewell, R.R. (2000). Peabody developmental motor scales-Second edition. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
Kipping, P., Gard, A., Gilman, L., & Gorman, J. (2012). Speech and language development (3rd ed.), Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
Linder., T.W. (1993). Transdisciplinary play-based assessment. Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
Voress, J.K., & Maddox, T. (2013). Developmental assessment of young children-Second edition. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
