Development Summary 2 - 3 Years
Social and emotional development
By 2½ years, children are usually:
Trying hard to be independent, saying ‘no’ a lot, or ‘me do’ (but they are still very dependent on their parents)
Unable to control their feelings; tantrums are common especially when tired or frustrated
Unable to share with others
Starting to play imagination games, such as putting a doll to bed or driving a car around on the floor
There may be a problem if a child:
Is having tantrums very often
Does not play with adults or older children
By 3 years, children are usually:
Trying to copy adults, and may be able to be helpful (e.g. help with putting toys away)
Playing lots of imagination games and starting to join in with other children’s play
There may be a problem if a child:
Is not playing imagination games (using toys the way they are ‘meant’ to be used, e.g. pushing a car along a ‘road’ rather than mostly focusing on the wheels)
Is mostly ‘in his own world’ rather than interacting with others
Motor development
By 2½ years, children are usually able to:
Climb on and off furniture
Run smoothly and climb on some play equipment
Kick a large ball gently but not usually in the ‘right’ direction
Climb up stairs
Throw a ball in approximately the right direction
There may be problems if a child cannot:
Run smoothly, especially if the child has a limp
A child is not able to safely climb stairs or onto low furniture
By 3 years children are usually able to:
Push or pull large toys around to where they want them
Walk alone up and down stairs
Use the pedals on a pedal toy
Stand and walk on tiptoe
Kick a ball forcefully
Throw a ball and catch one on extended arms
There may be a problem if a child:
Is not able to run as smoothly as other children of the same age
Is not climbing skilfully
Daily activities
By 2½ years, children are usually:
Able to feed themselves with a spoon and cup
Able to help to dress and undress
Very active, resisting attempts to stop them doing things and have no idea about danger (even if they can say that something is dangerous)
Many, but not all, develop to the stage that they can manage toilet training
There may be a problem if a child:
Is far more active or less active than other children of the same age.
Is not yet managing to feed himself most of the time
By 3 years, children are usually:
Able undress and put on some easy-to-use clothes
Able to eat with a spoon and fork
Most, but not all, have reached the stage where they can manage toilet training. Some children will not manage this until they are nearly 4
Speech and language
By 2½ years children are usually able to
Use well over 100 recognisable words, but many of the words will be unclear as they cannot say all of the sounds in the words
Put the words into short sentences
Follow simple instructions
Talk during play with more of the words understandable
Let people know what they want using words
There may be a problem if a child:
Is not using words to let others know what they want
Is not talking clearly enough for the primary caregiver to know what they want some of the time
Seems to be in a ‘world of his own’, not responding to the talk of others
By 3 years, children are usually able to:
Talk clearly enough that strangers are able to understand at least some of what they are saying
Using words such as ‘me’ and ‘you’ correctly
Ask many questions starting with ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘why’
Listen to stories, demanding favourite stories repeatedly
Making up long stories while playing
There may be a problem if a child
Is not using words to let others know what he wants
Is not talking clearly enough for the primary caregiver to know what he wants most of the time
Seems to be in a ‘world of his own’, not responding to the talk of others
Consult a Doctor if you are worried about your child's development.
With thanks/ Reference
Parenting and Child Health Services, South Australia