Ages 30‑36 Months

Language Development

  • Ask open-ended questions: "What did you see on your walk?"
  • Take time to talk to toddler and ask about the things that interest him or her.
  • Instead of always answering your toddler's questions, occasionally ask: "What do you think?"
  • Read to your toddler often, sing number songs like Five Little Monkeys, and make up silly rhymes.
What Your Toddler Is Likely to Do
  • Ask a lot of questions.
  • Tell stories, sing nursery rhymes, and do finger plays.
  • Repeat five‑word sentences.
  • Talk to adults and other toddlers and be understood.
  • Talk to him‑ or herself about recent events and make believe characters.
  • Use social words: “please,” “thank you,” “hello.”
  • Name most body parts.
Other Things Your Toddler May Do
  • Use and understand direction and position words, such as “around,” “backwards,” “forward,” “inside,” and “underneath.”
  • Comment on pictures in books.
  • Show an understanding of story plots and act them out using puppets or dolls.
  • Answer complex questions, such as “What is this?” or “How did you do that?”
  • Respond to requests: “Go find your coat, please,” or “Please get a paper towel.”
How You Can Help Language Development
  • Take time to talk to your toddler and ask about the things that interest him or her.
  • Sing number songs and rhymes like Five Little Monkeys.
  • Ask open‑ended questions: “What did you see on your walk?”
  • Be prepared to answer lots of questions.
  • Instead of always answering your toddler’s questions, occasionally ask: “What do you think?”
  • Make up silly rhymes.
  • Invent songs.
  • Read to your toddler often.