Developmental milestones from 2 to 3 years

Between 2 and 3 years most children put two words together, then three, start pretending, and move from running to jumping with both feet off the ground. The CDC describes milestones as things “most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age”, so the lists describe what is common at an age rather than a standard to meet. A child who is behind on one line and ahead on four others is a very ordinary child.

Around this age

The CDC’s lists for this stretch sit at 2 years, 30 months and 3 years.

By 2 years, most children run, kick a ball, walk up a few stairs with or without help, and eat with a spoon. They say at least two words together, like “More milk”, point to things in a book when you ask, and point to at least two body parts on request. They use gestures beyond waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss. They hold something in one hand while the other hand works, play with more than one toy at a time, and notice when someone else is hurt or upset.

By 30 months, most say about 50 words and put two or more words together with an action word in them, like “Doggie run”. They use words like “I”, “me” or “we”, and name things in a book when you point and ask. They pretend, feeding a block to a doll as if it were food. They follow two-step instructions, like “Put the toy down and close the door”, show they know at least one color, jump with both feet off the ground, twist doorknobs and lids, and take off loose clothes by themselves.

By 3 years, most talk with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges, ask “who”, “what”, “where” or “why” questions, say what is happening in a picture, and say their first name when asked. The CDC’s phrasing for speech at 3 is that a child “talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time”. They notice other children and join them to play, calm down within 10 minutes after you leave at a childcare drop-off, draw a circle when you show them how, use a fork, and put on some clothes by themselves.

What families usually do

Most of this is built out of talk. Asking questions with more than a yes or no answer, waiting through the pause, and then answering back is the same work as reading a book together, and it fits into a car ride.

Pretending is doing real cognitive work at this age, so a block that is a phone and a cup of imaginary soup are worth playing along with. Two-step instructions get easier when they are the ones you give every day in the same order.

Comparison gets loud around now, usually at playgroups. The lists are age bands, not a ranking, and a 30-month-old who says 50 words and a 30-month-old who says 200 are both described by the same page.

There are checkups at 2 years, 2½ years and 3 years in the schedule most pediatricians follow. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a general developmental screening at 30 months and a screening specifically for autism at 24 months, both at a regular well-child visit. Screening uses a validated questionnaire; monitoring is the watching you do between visits.

When to call your pediatrician

The CDC’s guidance is the same at every age: do not wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost a skill they once had, or you have another concern, act early. Talk with your child’s doctor, share what you have noticed, and ask about developmental screening.

Concerns raised at any point are reasonable, not only at the visits where screening is scheduled. You can ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child further. For a child under 3, you can call your state or territory’s early intervention program directly, and families can refer themselves; from age 3, the public school system takes on that role.

Sources

• Milestones by 2 Years — CDC
• Milestones by 30 Months — CDC
• Milestones by 3 Years — CDC
• Developmental Monitoring and Screening — CDC

This is educational information from public sources, not a replacement for advice from your child’s healthcare professional.

In Withya, the guides for this age sit under Guides, ordered for your child’s age and the place her profile says you live.