Childhood Milestones Between 24 and 36 Months: Fine Tuning

Energetic, Enthusiastic, Empathetic

As parents, observing our children grow and develop is an exciting journey. The period between 18 and 24 months, in particular, is a fascinating time. This is when your little ones begin to make sense of the world in more complex ways.

After your child’s second year, many of the same skills they have been developing undergo some additional development and fine-tuning. This is an exciting time as your child’s physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional abilities continue to flourish. Let’s take a closer look at the milestones your child may achieve between 24 and 36 months.

Physical Development

Between 24 and 36 months, physical development in children undergoes significant progress. Toddlers at this stage become more agile and confident in their movements. They can jump from low objects, run, and climb, although changing direction quickly may still pose a challenge.

Riding toys become a favorite, as they learn to sit on them and push with their feet. Their fine motor skills continue to improve, allowing them to engage in activities like drawing with a pencil or unscrewing lids. Kicking balls becomes more a controlled activity, showcasing your toddler’s growing coordination and balance. This period is characterized by an increased focus on strengthening small muscle skills, eye-hand coordination, and developing large muscle skills through activities such as climbing, skipping, and catching a ball. By providing ample opportunities for active play and fine motor activities, parents and caregivers can support their child’s physical development during this stage.

Language

Language development takes a significant leap during this period. Your child progresses from using a few words to constructing full sentences and asking questions. Their speech also becomes clearer, making it easier for others to understand them. They may begin to engage in more conversations and show a growing interest in communicating with others.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development expands further, with your child developing a longer attention span and an increasing understanding of concepts. They may start to grasp the concept of time, and counting and sorting become more familiar to them. They can sequence objects in order. Their imagination flourishes, and your 2-year-old will enjoy engaging in pretend play with dolls, animals, and people. Vocabulary expands rapidly, and they can use a variety of words to name objects, actions, pronouns, and familiar people.

Social-Emotional Development

During the period between 24 and 36 months, toddlers start to show more independence and develop attachments to favorite toys. They also become more interested in playing with other children and learning to share. Although they may say “no” often and be protective of their possessions, they are generally pleasant and enthusiastic.

Toddlers heading on three years of age begin to recognize and express their emotions and may even develop some fears. They are learning to navigate their feelings and understand that it’s okay to feel silly, sad, or angry. It’s a time when they begin to learn about being a separate person and respecting the rights of others.

Summary

It’s important to remember that each child develops at their own pace, and there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to reaching these milestones. However, between 24 and 36 months, you can expect to see some exciting developments in your child. They become more physically active, refining their gross and fine motor skills. Their language skills take a leap forward, and they become more interested in interacting with other children. Cognitive development expands, and they gain a better understanding of the world around them. Socially-emotionally, they are learning to express their feelings, share, and cooperate with others.

Early Intervention Therapies

If you have been worried that your 2–3-year-old toddler is falling behind with expected childhood milestones and your gut is telling you they may need more support, Early Intervention is a program that can help you get answers.

If you have concerns, ask your pediatrician about Early Intervention therapies from TEIS Early Intervention.

At TEIS Early Intervention, our therapists listen to your concerns, assess your child’s individual needs, develop a customized treatment plan, and educate you along the way on simple routine-based solutions to maximize your child’s development in their natural environment.

Early Intervention evaluations and therapy services are available under the Federal Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities. Before services can be provided, an independent evaluation of your child must be completed. To assure impartiality, one agency offers evaluation services while another provides therapeutic services.

To schedule an evaluation call us at 1-800-692-7288 or email to help@connectpa.net