Toddler
Your toddler at 2 to 3 years
Development, food, sleep, play and safety from 24 to 36 months, gathered from the month by month guide.
Checked against AAP, AASM, CDC and 4 more · How we source
Each line shows the month pages it comes from, and its source is listed at the end of the page. Every child develops at their own pace. For your child's own month, open it from the month by month list.
Development
Milestones most children reach by each age, from the CDC.
If your child is missing many milestones or you have concerns, talk to your doctor: acting early helps.
By 24 months
Cognitive (learning/thinking)
- Holds something in one hand while using the other hand. For example, holding a container and taking the lid off.
- Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy.
- Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate.
Language and Communication
- Points to things in a book when you ask, like Where is the bear?
- Says at least two words together, like More milk.
- Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you.
- Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes.
Movement and Physical
- Kicks a ball.
- Runs.
- Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help.
- Eats with a spoon.
Social and Emotional
- Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying.
- Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation.
By 30 months
Cognitive (learning/thinking)
- Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food.
- Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something.
- Follows two-step instructions like Put the toy down and close the door.
- Shows he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, Which one is red?
Language and Communication
- Says about 50 words.2
- Says two or more words together, with one action word, like Doggie run.
- Names things in a book when you point and ask, What is this?
- Says words like I, me, or we.
Movement and Physical
- Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids.
- Takes some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket.
- Jumps off the ground with both feet.
- Turns book pages, one at a time, when you read to her.
Social and Emotional
- Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them.
- Shows you what she can do by saying, Look at me!
- Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, "It's clean-up time.".
By 36 months
Cognitive (learning/thinking)
- Draws a circle, when you show him how.
- Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her.
Language and Communication
- Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges.
- Asks who, what, where, or why questions, like Where is mommy/daddy?
- Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like running, eating, or playing.
- Says first name, when asked.
- Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time.
Movement and Physical
- Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni.
- Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket.
- Uses a fork.
Social and Emotional
- Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off.3
- Notices other children and joins them to play.
Feeding and nutrition
- Avoid whole nuts, whole grapes, popcorn, hard raw vegetables, chunks of meat/cheese (choking).Month 24Month 30Month 36
- Limit packaged snacks and sugary drinks.Month 25
- Try regional thalis with small portions of each item.Month 25
- Try regional festival foods in toddler-friendly portions.Month 27
- Try festival sweets in small, toddler-safe portions.Month 29
- Keep sugary treats for special occasions.Month 31
- Try regional breakfast staples as everyday meals.Month 31
Sleep
- 1 to 2 years: Recommended sleep: 11 to 14 hours. Ranges are per 24 hours and, for children through preschool, include naps. Individual needs vary.7Month 24
- 3 to 5 years: Recommended sleep: 10 to 13 hours. Ranges are per 24 hours and, for children through preschool, include naps. Individual needs vary.7Month 36
- 11 to 12 hours total. 1 nap. Some start dropping nap.8Month 24
- 11 to 13 hours total. 1 nap, some toddlers begin dropping it.8Month 25
- 11 to 13 hours total. 1 nap for most, some transitioning to none.8Month 26
- 11 to 13 hours total. 1 nap or quiet rest time in the afternoon.8Month 27
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- 11 to 12 hours total. 1 nap for many, quiet time for those who have dropped it.8Month 28
- 11 to 12 hours total. 1 nap or rest period most days.8Month 29
- 11 to 12 hours total. 1 nap for some, quiet rest time for others.8Month 30
- 10.5 to 12 hours total. 1 nap for some, others down to quiet rest.8Month 31
- 10.5 to 12 hours total. 1 nap or afternoon quiet time.8Month 32
- 10.5 to 12 hours total. Many toddlers now down to one short nap or none.8Month 33
- 10.5 to 12 hours total. Most toddlers have one nap or none by now.8Month 34
- 10.5 to 12 hours total. Bedtime routine remains important for most toddlers.8Month 35
- 10 to 12 hours total. Most toddlers have dropped the nap or keep a short one.8Month 36
Play and learning
- 1 to 2 years: Shape sorters and simple puzzles, push/pull toys, crayons and big paper, pretend phone/kitchen.Month 24
- 2 to 3 years: Playdough, tricycle/ride-on, dress-up and pretend play, simple matching games.Month 24Month 30Month 36
- 3 to 5 years: Building sets (blocks/LEGO), art and crafts, simple board games, bikes with helmet, ball games.Month 36
- Consider playschool enrollment.Month 24
- Continue bilingual or trilingual conversations at home.Month 25
- Visit a local park or garden regularly.Month 25
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- Keep a picture book collection in the home language.Month 25
- Try simple cooking together: rolling roti dough, mixing batter.Month 26
- Attend family festivals and note new experiences.Month 26
- Continue storytelling with regional folk tales.Month 26
- Keep outdoor playtime a daily habit.Month 26
- Encourage helping with simple chores: putting away toys.Month 27
- Visit temples, gurdwaras, or places of worship as a family outing.Month 27
- Continue regional language storytelling.Month 28
- Visit cousins or family friends for playdates.Month 28
- Attend a local playgroup or toddler class.Month 29
- Continue teaching regional rhymes and songs.Month 29
- Involve toddler in simple gardening: watering plants.Month 29
- Try short outings to markets or fairs.Month 30
- Continue bilingual storytelling and songs.Month 30
- Involve toddler in simple festival preparations.Month 30
- Involve toddler in simple household routines: folding cloth napkins.Month 31
- Plan playdates with cousins or neighborhood children.Month 31
- Try simple cooking activities together: kneading dough.Month 32
- Visit a local library or bookstore for picture books.Month 32
- Keep festival participation age-appropriate and fun.Month 32
- Encourage playing alongside other children.Month 32
- Try regional festival games and songs.Month 33
- Involve toddler in setting the table.Month 33
- Plan a preschool visit if enrollment is being considered.Month 33
- Try regional puzzles, board games, or traditional toys.Month 34
- Continue storytelling from regional folk tales and epics.Month 34
- Involve toddler in simple festival cooking.Month 34
- Plan short trips to family hometowns if possible.Month 34
- Prepare for preschool or playschool transition if starting soon.Month 35
- Continue bilingual or trilingual conversations.Month 35
- Involve toddler in festival planning and decorating.Month 35
- Plan preschool enrollment if not already started.Month 36
- Involve toddler more fully in festival celebrations.Month 36
Everyday care and routines
- Potty training with patience and praise.Month 24
- Keep a consistent bedtime story routine.Month 27
- Keep a simple daily schedule around meals and rest.Month 28
- Keep screen time limited and supervised.Month 29
- Introduce toilet training routines if the family is ready.Month 30
- Keep bedtime stories as a nightly habit.Month 31
Safety
Safety at home for this age is a checklist you can tick off and print, from the AAP and CDC.
Month by month
Tools and guides
Sources (15)
- 1. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. (2022 revision), 24 monthsOpen source
- 2. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. (2022 revision), 30 monthsOpen source Back to text
- 3. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. (2022 revision), 36 monthsOpen source Back to text
- 4. MedlinePlus, Infant and Newborn Nutrition (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
- 5. NHS, Baby's first solid foodsOpen source
- 6. WHO, Infant and young child feeding (fact sheet)Open source
- 7. AASM, 2016 (Paruthi et al., J Clin Sleep Med) — endorsed by AAPBack to text
- 8. National Sleep Foundation, AASM pediatric sleep duration recommendationOpen source Back to text
- 9. CDC, Learn the Signs. Act Early. (developmental milestones, 2 months through 5 years)
- 10. WHO, UNICEF/World Bank Group — Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development (2018)Open source
- 11. AAP, HealthyChildren.org, Young Children Learning Multiple Languages: Parent FAQsOpen source
- 12. WHO, Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age (2019)Open source
- 13. AAP, HealthyChildren.org, Toilet TrainingOpen source
- 14. AAP, HealthyChildren.org, Healthy Sleep Habits: How Many Hours Does Your Child Need?Open source
- 15. AAP, Council on Communications and Media — Media and Young Minds (Pediatrics, 2016)Open source