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 36 to 42 months:
Cognitive
- Understands “same” and “different”
- Matches objects that have the same function (e.g., spoon and fork)
- Understands “heavy” and “light”
- Understands “more” and “less”
- Sorts objects by physical characteristics such as color or shape
Communication
- Names primary colors
- Can state full name
- Can answer questions when told a short story
- Uses contractions
- Uses regular past tense forms
- Uses pronouns
Social-Emotional
- Shares toys
- Plays group board or card games
- Volunteers for tasks
- Quiets down after active play
- Participates in circle games
Adaptive
- Manipulates large buttons or snaps
- Covers mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
- Hangs clothes in designated location
- Cleans up spills
- Completes simple errands
Physical Development
- Copies drawing a cross
- Hops forward on one foot
- Hammers pegs
- Runs around objects, turns corners
- Jumps forward with feet together at least 20 inches
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.
