Ages 30‑36 Months

Cognitive Development

  • Encourage your toddler to tell stories.
  • Introduce the concept of first, second, third in simple games. Ask: "Who is first? Who comes second?"
  • Give your toddler a broader range of art supplies. Try sticks, cotton balls, paper, and cones.
  • Let your toddler do safe jobs in the kitchen. Ask your toddler to scrub vegetables and fruit with a brush, tear lettuce into pieces, or break cauliflower into flowerettes.
What Your Toddler Is Likely to Do
  • Compare sizes of things and use words like “bigger,” “smaller,” and “really little.”
  • Try to play‑act thoughts and ideas. For example, your toddler may pretend to be a dinosaur.
  • Count three objects.
  • Match and sort similar pictures and objects.
  • Enjoy creative movement.
Other Things Your Toddler May Do
  • Make a plan before taking action. For example, your toddler may search for needed felt‑board pieces before playing.
  • Notice changes in nature, such as a seed growing a sprout.
  • Use words related to time, such as “sleep time.”
How You Can Help Cognitive Development
  • Continue to breastfeed.
  • Praise successes.
  • Keep adding to the range of things that you give your toddler.
  • Provide dress‑up clothes and props.
  • Give your toddler a broader range of art supplies. Try sticks, cotton balls, paper, and cones.
  • Use laundry time as a chance to talk and sort clothing.
  • Introduce the concept of first, second, third in simple games. Ask: “Who is first? Who comes second?”
  • Provide more complex puzzles with three to six pieces.
  • Cook with your toddler and explore different foods. Always remember to be safe in the kitchen!
  • Continue to talk about time, shape, and colour concepts.
  • Encourage your toddler to tell stories.
  • Encourage creative moves to music.
  • Teach and play singing games like Ring‑Around the‑Rosie and London Bridge.