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Development and Milestones for Toddlers (1 - 3 Years)
Development and Milestones for Toddlers (1 - 3 Years)
From Ages 1 to 3 Your Child Has Many Developmental Milestones
From ages one to three, your child has many developmental milestones. These milestones are skills like showing greater independence and recognizing themselves in pictures or a mirror. It’s also things like putting words together, talking in sentences and exploring new objects and people around them. Each of these milestones are things most children do by a certain age. They cover a wide range of behaviors like playing, learning, speaking, and moving (from walking to jumping to running).
80% of the Brain Develops by Age 3
80% of your child’s brain develops by age three. It’s during these years that your child’s brain begins to develop memory, language, thinking and reasoning skills. They learn by imitating the behavior of others, especially adults and older children. It can also be a trying time, as they begin to show defiant behavior and set out to explore the world around them.
Steps Milestone Checklists
The small steps you take during these first three years make a big difference in your child’s future success. The Steps Milestone Checklists for toddlers contain things most toddlers do by this age in the areas of:
- Social & emotional development
- Language & communications development
- Cognitive development (learning, thinking, problem solving)
- Movement & physical development
- Plus, things to watch out for that might need a doctor’s attention
Toddler Milestone Checklists
18-Month Checklist
Milestones include:
- Says single words
- May walk up steps and run
- Can help undress themselves
- Drinks from a cup
2-Year Checklist
Milestones include:
- Says sentences with 2 to 4 words
- Begins to sort shapes and colors
- Plays simple make-believe games
- Stands on tiptoe or kicks a ball
3-Year Checklist
Milestones include:
- Follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps
- Can name most familiar things
- Climbs well and runs easily
- Can work toys with moving parts
Milestones App
At this stage of life, a child's development changes greatly from month to month. For an easy way to keep track of when your baby should reach certain milestones, download the free Center for Disease Control Milestones Tracker app. The App also includes activities and learning tips for each age and an area where you can keep track of all your doctor appointments
Children Develop at Different Rates
Although most children learn to do things and reach specific milestones by a certain age, not all do. Different children develop at different rates.
If you suspect your child is behind, has a development delay or physical issues that hold him back, don’t delay. The sooner you get help, the faster your child will be able to cope with whatever challenge he faces.
Early On
Early On Michigan can help you give your child the best chance for success. Find out more. Call 1-800-EARLY-ON (1-800-327-5966) and we’ll work with you to evaluate your child's current development and figure out the next steps.
Make Play Educational
Playing is one of the ways toddlers learn. The Steps Play is More than Fun & Games infographic has ways to help you make the most of play.
More Resources for Parents
Get Positive Parenting Tips
Find positive things you can do as a parent broken out for every age group – in English and Spanish from the Center for Disease Control.
Visit PBS Parents
Find shows and videos to watch, play activities, ways to help your child thrive, ways to learn and grow at each milestone and more.
Find Development Resources
Find videos, milestone checklists, Milestone Tracker mobile app, view the Milestones in Action photo and video library, and more from the Center for Disease Control.
Get Pathways Development Tips
Find resources by different age groups, videos for parents, a baby games calendar, baby’s first year milestone guide and more from Pathways.org.