What to know
View photos and videos of developmental milestones that most children do by three years of age. Milestones are listed by area of child development.
Social/Emotional
Notices other children and joins them to play
The child in this video notices another child playing and joins them to play, a 3-year social/emotional milestone.
Language/Communication
Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
The child in this video is talking with his mom using at least two back-and-forth exchanges, a 3-year language/communication milestone.
Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?”
The child in this video is asking "where" questions, a 3-year language/communication milestone.
Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing”
The child in this video is saying what action is happening in a picture, a 3-year language/communication milestone.
Says first name, when asked
The child in this video says her first name when asked, a 3-year language/communication milestone.
Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time
The child in this video is talking well enough for strangers to understand most of the time, a 3-year language/communication milestone.
Cognitive
Draws a circle, when you show him how
The child in this video draws a circle when shown how to, a 3-year cognitive milestone.
Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her
The child in this video avoids touching a hot object when warned by her dad, a 3-year cognitive milestone.
Movement/Physical
Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
Uses a fork
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