Ages 30‑36 Months

Social and Emotional Development

• Encourage imaginary play. Join in with questions: "Is the soup ready?"
• Provide chances to play with other children. Make sure a trusted adult is close by when children are playing.
• Praise good behaviour. Instead of saying "good girl," say, "Sharing your teddy with Kim was very kind."
• Accept your toddler's feelings and talk about them. Give and use words for feelings: "disappointed," "hurt," "thrilled," "excited."

What Your Toddler Is Likely to Do

• Show affection openly, for example, by hugging and kissing.
• Use social language, such as “please,” “thank you,” and “bye‑bye.”
• Play with others and take turns more easily.
• Play make‑believe games and create imaginary characters.
• Be upset with major changes in routines.
• Know and respond to other people’s feelings.
• Become more comfortable with new people.
• Want to do things by her‑ or himself, but may fear new experiences.
• Want approval and need praise.

Other Things Your Toddler May Do

• Copy adult behaviours, such as shopping, banking, parenting, breastfeeding, or cooking.
• Create an imaginary friend to talk to.
• Be more comfortable around new adults.
• Help other children to do things.
• Develop skills such as taking turns, sharing, and using words instead of fighting.
• Explain his or her feelings when asked about them.
• Understand the feelings of other children and talk about them.
• Stamp feet when frustrated.
• Ask you to tell certain stories to help deal with her or his fears.

How You Can Help Social and Emotional Development

• Introduce your toddler to familiar neighbours and community workers.
• Show affection with hugs and loving words.
• Praise good behaviour. Instead of saying “good girl,” or “good boy,” say, “Sharing your teddy with Kim was very kind.”
• Provide chances to play with other children.
• Encourage your toddler to wash, dress, and feed plastic dolls to teach caring for others.
• Encourage imaginary play. Join in with questions: “Is the tea ready?”
• Make sure you are nearby to help your toddler solve problems when playing with other children.
• Make sure a trusted adult is close by when children are playing.
• Continue to breastfeed.
• Praise your toddler’s new skills and when she or he does something without help.
• Accept your toddler’s feelings and talk about them.
• Give and use words for feelings: “disappointed,” “hurt,” “thrilled,” “excited.”
• Talk very simply about your own feelings as examples.
• Listen to and understand your toddler’s fears.
• Sing songs and read stories about emotions. Talk about the feelings of a story’s characters and why the characters might feel that way.