25-36 months – Imagination starts to blossom

Communicating

What’s New? 

During this age, your child’s vocabulary is getting richer every day. At this age, most children can compose sentences of 2 to 5 words, and it is easier to understand what your child is saying to you.  She will slowly learn how to listen and wait for her turn and will be able to keep up a short conversation.  During this period, your child learns how to describe things that have happened during the day.  With a little help from you, she can even begin to tell a simple story in sequence.  How exciting for her and for you! 

And What Can You Do to Help?

Establish a shared reading time with your child and allow her to turn the pages of a picture book by herself. Teach your child simple songs and rhymes, perhaps from your own childhood or traditions. Ask your child to show you things in pictures and encourage her to repeat the words after you, even if it doesn’t sound much like your pronunciation.  Your child will be interested in the names of things.  Try to not just say the name, but some descriptive words (like "yes, it’s a big blue truck,” or “Ball — the ball is big, isn’t it?”). 

Feelings  

What’s New?

This is a very important period for your child`s emotional development. Your child experiences lots of feelings every day — from intense happiness to sadness, frustration, and, sometimes, anger.  At the same time, she is learning about other people`s feelings, including the beginnings of empathy--feeling the way someone else may be feeling. As when she was younger, she still may have some angry outbursts or temper tantrums.  She still has a hard time putting big feelings into words. During this period, your child will also begin to understand how her behavior affects yours, and also how your behavior affects her. Now she is apt to be less worried about separating from you, although it may still be hard at times, and every child is different. 

And What Can You Do to Help?

Talk with your child about feelings, tell stories or read age-appropriate books about all kinds of emotions. Encourage her to make believe about emotions with her toys or other objects.  Accept that she still cannot manage her big feelings sometimes and use your calmness to create a secure environment for her.  And playing, especially make-believe play, is a wonderful way for her to understand and cope with feelings.

Thinking  

What’s New? 

Your child is slowly beginning to understand important ideas like time (such as day and night, before and after) and opposites (big and small). Also, in this period, she will probably show you that she understands the purposes of different parts of her body (“I see with my eyes”). She begins to try grouping objects by colour, size or shape. She will also start solving simple problems through trial and error — “If the spoon doesn’t fit in the jar, maybe I can try a smaller one.”

And What Can You Do to Help?

Remember that your child continues to learn best through exploration and play.  New concepts can be explored by using objects and by playing pretend.  Encourage your child to play lots of “pretend games” and sometimes join in the game your child is leading.  Continue to involve her in everyday experiences that let you explore together and try out new things:  “Let’s plant some flowers today!”  or “Can you find a good place to put those cups? Thank you!”

Moving

What’s New?

Your child is becoming much more independent. During this period, your child can get dressed and undressed on her own — not perfectly, of course —  wash her hands or eat by herself. An important aspect of becoming independent is the use of the toilet. In many cultures and families, this typically begins during this time. Your child’s movements are more complex than earlier. By the end of the third year of life your child can probably run and jump, stand on one leg, go up and downstairs (if home has stairs), and maybe try to ride a small scooter or tricycle if available.

And What Can You Do to Help?

Your child will be eager to try new things but she needs for your support. Encourage her to try, whether or not she is successful at first — and celebrate new skills. You can also build skills and confidence by including her in everyday family chores — helping sort clean socks, shopping trips, stirring food for a meal, and other simple tasks that fascinate her.

If you are nearby, your child will be more willing to try to climb, hop, draw, throw a ball, or explore other new challenges.  Just by your presence, you are creating a secure environment for development. 

To find many more ways on how to support child development through play, go to Playing Together section.

Parents’ concerns about development in the period from the 25th to the 36th month 

Because each child develops in her own particular way, it is impossible to predict exactly when or how your own child will perfect a certain skill. The abilities (developmental milestones) expected and listed for this period give you only a general idea of the changes you might expect as your child gets older.  Please do not be worried if her development takes a slightly different path.

However, to be sure, do talk with your pediatrician [or other health provider] if your child displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay, if your child seems to have lost some of the skills she had at an earlier age, or if you have other reasons to be concerned:

• Doesn’t look at you (eye contact)
• has difficulties hearing or seeing some things  
• doesn’t speak in short sentences (at least 3 words together)  
• has very unclear speech  
• doesn’t follow simple instructions  
• doesn’t want to play with other children or with toys and other objects
• doesn’t make-believe or pretend during play  
• cannot run  
• isn’t scribbling or drawing  
• cannot hold small objects in her hand.