Your child is starting to emerge from their toddler years. Are they meeting all of their feeding, speech and physical milestones? Take a look at this comprehensive list and see if you need to schedule a speech, physical therapy or occupational therapy.
3 -3.5 Years
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Walk upstairs without a rail alternating feet
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Ride a tricycle
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Climb up a rock wall independently
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Run 45 feet in 6 seconds
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Jump forward 26 inches
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Throw ball overhand with coordination
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Throw ball underhand to hit a target from 5 feet
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Build a tower of 9-10 small blocks
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Make continuous cuts with child-safe scissors
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Copy a horizontal line
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Copy a circle
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Imitate making a 3-block bridge
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Can complete in-hand manipulation with stabilization
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Use fingers to show age
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Make a fist and wiggle thumb
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Roll clay or play dough on table to make ropes
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Trace around the edges of basic shape templates
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Lace 3 holes or more on a lace board
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Cut a piece of paper in half with scissors on a more or less straight line
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Copy a vertical-horizontal cross
- Can be understood by all listeners 75% of the time
- Converse in 3 to 4 word sentences
- Follow simple 3-step related commands
- Ask one-word “why” questions
- Use “what,” “where,” “when,” “how,” and “whose,” when asking questions
- Respond to “wh- “questions (who, what, when, where, why)
- Use regular plural –s (example: socks, shoes)
- Use possessive –s (example: baby’s bottle)
- Dries hands
- Brushing teeth with assistance from an adult
Tip: Give your child simple choices, such as what to wear or what snack to eat
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Can be understood by all listeners 75% of the time
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Converse in 3 to4 word sentences
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Follow simple 3-step related commands
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Ask one-word “why” questions
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Use “what,” “where,” “when,” “how,” and “whose,” when asking questions
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Respond to “wh- “questions (who, what, when, where, why)
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Use regular plural –s (example: socks, shoes)
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Use possessive –s (example: baby’s bottle)
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Able to calm self to sleep at night
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Expresses emotions
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Tolerates different clothing textures
- Copes in a noisy environment
Interesting fact: Did you know that it is recommended for your child to get 10-13 hours of sleep per day (including naps) at this age?
- Complete an easy puzzle
- Sort objects
- Counting 1-5
- Understands common dangers, such as hot surface, stairs, etc
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Cooperative play: play by rules and in groups with increase in dramatic and imitative play
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Tricycle
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3 wheeled scooters
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Play dough
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Toys that encourage imaginative play such as baby doll, cars, toy kitchen
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Building blocks
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Simple puzzles
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Sorting cups
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Matching games
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Toys with various textures, such as kinetic sand, slime, etc.
Pre-School Readiness
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Separates from parents without difficulty
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Maintains attention to classroom activities
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Makes eye contact with adults
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Independently chooses activities of interest
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Behavior is easily redirected
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Uses words to express wants and needs versus using actions/aggressive behavior
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Able to use words to tell stories, share ideas and express feelings
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Plays by him or herself
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Plays next to a peer
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Cooperates when playing in a group
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Takes turns
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Shows concern for friends
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Helps friends when needed
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Adapt easily to change of routine
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Recognizes first name when written
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Able to print first name
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Able to print last name
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Recite the ABC’s
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Able to name capital letters
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Able to name lowercase letters
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Knows letter sounds
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Identifies rhyming words (i.e., cat / hat)
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Able to count to 10
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Identifies numbers 1-10
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Identifies shapes
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Knows their colors
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Understand concepts of over, under, above, below and through
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Identifies all the parts of the body
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Identifies all 5 senses (sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing)
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Navigate a set of stairs with alternating pattern
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Catching a large ball with hands only from 5 feet away
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Jumps forward 26 inches
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Throws a ball overhand to hit target 5 feet away
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Hops 3-5x on each foot
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Traces around the edges of basic shapes
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Copies a horizontal line and circle
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Makes continuous cuts with child-safe scissors
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Dresses self with help with fasteners
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Can put on/ take off coat
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Puts shoes on correct feet
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Fastens large buttons
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Brushes own teeth
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Draws a person with 3 different body parts
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Cuts a piece of paper in half with scissors
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Uses restroom independently
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Follows simple 3-step related commands (i.e.., get your coat off the hook, put it on and get in line)
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Begins to use adjectives for color and size
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Responds to “wh- “questions (who, what, where, when, why)
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Asks many questions
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Uses most speech sounds correctly
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Will put toys away when asked
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Will follow directions to get own items like pencil, book, coat