3 years milestones
three-year-olds are little conversationalists. they ask 'why?' constantly, can follow multi-step instructions, and are starting to play cooperatively with other children.
physical milestones
•climbs well (stairs, playground equipment)
•runs easily
•pedals a tricycle
•walks up and down stairs with one foot per step
•turns pages one at a time
•screws and unscrews jar lids
cognitive milestones
•can work toys with buttons, levers, and moving parts
•plays make-believe with dolls, animals, and people
•completes puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces
•understands what 'two' means
•copies a circle with a pencil or crayon
•turns book pages one at a time
social & emotional milestones
•copies adults and friends
•shows affection for friends without prompting
•takes turns in games
•shows concern for a crying friend
•understands the idea of 'mine' and 'theirs'
•shows a wide range of emotions
language & communication
•follows instructions with 2 or 3 steps
•names most familiar things
•understands words like 'in', 'on', and 'under'
•says first name, age, and sex
•names a friend
•says words like 'I', 'me', 'we', and 'you' (and some plurals)
•talks well enough for strangers to understand most of the time
•carries on a conversation using 2 to 3 sentences
red flags to watch for
talk to your GP or child health nurse if your child:
- •falls down a lot or has trouble with stairs
- •drools or has very unclear speech
- •can't work simple toys (peg boards, puzzles, turning a handle)
- •doesn't speak in sentences
- •doesn't understand simple instructions
- •doesn't play pretend or make-believe
- •doesn't want to play with other children or with toys
- •doesn't make eye contact
- •loses skills they once had
tips for this age
- •answer 'why?' questions — it builds their understanding of the world
- •encourage drawing, painting, and cutting with safety scissors
- •arrange playdates to practise social skills
- •start conversations about feelings and emotions
view all age milestones
from 3 months to 5 years
this information is based on general developmental guidelines from the CDC and Raising Children Network. every child develops differently — these are guides, not checklists. if you have concerns, consult your GP or child health professional.