Your toddler continues to grow at a rapid pace and becomes more independent with each day. Between ages 1 and 3, milestones are set to help your toddler learn, speak, move and play in a way that prepares them for the next stage of their life as well as enrolling in preschool.
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Toddlers are children between the ages of 1 and 3. You’ll notice your child start to gain a little bit of independence. During the toddler years, your child will learn to:
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Toddlers grow and learn at their own pace. Not all toddlers master these skills by age 3.
During your baby’s first year, checkups by your healthcare provider were frequent to verify that your child grew normally and reached their first-year milestones. As a toddler, checkups are further apart. You can identify a timeline for checkups with your toddler’s healthcare provider between ages 1 and 3. An example of when you should schedule toddler checkups include:
Similar to well-baby visits, toddler checkups will track your child’s growth. These checkups include:
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Developmental milestones are things that your toddler can do by a certain age. Developmental milestones track how your child:
Each child grows at their own pace and it's not a competition to see how quickly your toddler reaches developmental milestones. Some children will reach milestones sooner than others. If you suspect that your child is not on track to reach their developmental milestones, talk with your child’s healthcare provider to address any areas of concern.
Between 15 and 18 months, your toddler is learning to express themselves with their newly learned verbal skills. Tantrums are a normal part of your toddler’s development to tell you they’re unhappy that they didn’t get what they wanted. Use distractions, like toys and games, to minimize tantrums and calm your toddler.
Your child should be eating food at the table at the same time as members of their family. At this age, toddlers learn to use utensils, like a fork and spoon, along with transitioning from a bottle to a cup.
Milestones for your toddler between 15 and 18 months include:
Keep your child safe between the ages of 15 and 18 months by:
Two-year-old toddlers are full of emotion and very enthusiastic to showcase their feelings with others, including affection, happiness, anger and protest.
Your child's understanding of the rules can be very different from your expectations. During this time, set firm and consistent limitations for behavior. Most 2-year-olds ultimately want to please their parents, so be sure to praise your child when their behavior is appropriate and when they accomplish a new skill.
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You will find your child to be talkative, inquisitive and very active. During this time, their vocabulary will grow rapidly. Reading to your child will help increase their vocabulary and improve verbal expression and listening skills.
Although 2-year-olds enjoy being with other children, they often play independently. Imitation is their primary method of learning at this age.
Your child might start showing signs that they are ready for potty training. They might stay dry for longer periods during the day or have a regular schedule of bowel movements. They might also be curious about the toilet and aware of their bodily functions. Children will generally learn to use the toilet when they are ready. Encourage your child and assist when needed. It's normal for children to master potty training in small steps.
Milestones for your 2-year-old child include:
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Follow these tips to keep your 2-year-old child safe:
Your 3-year-old engages socially with their growing language and rapidly developing motor skills during this time. Your child will display curiosity and often ask "Why?" over and over again.
Three-year-olds gain a greater sense of self. Your child will identify gender differences and imitate their adult role models. During play activities, your child will interact more with their peers. Their vocabulary increases to several hundred words. Although articulation is not perfect, your child will be understood by others about 75% of the time.
Motor skills demonstrate improving coordination. Your child might enjoy cutting with scissors, stacking multiple objects and drawing circles.
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Milestones for your 3-year-old child include:
Keep your 3-year-old child safe by:
A major milestone for your toddler is entering preschool. This event may come with many emotions for both you as a caregiver and your toddler, but you can ease the transition by making sure your child is ready. Skills that your child should understand before they start preschool include:
Your child will grow and learn in the classroom and they don’t need to perfect all of their skills before the first day. The most important way you can prepare your child is to teach them to handle their emotions in the classroom. This means that they can say “goodbye” to you when you drop them off and they can communicate with their teacher if they need help.
Cognitive development is one of the milestones to track as your child grows. Cognitive skills are how your child uses their brain to learn about the world around them. Between the ages of 1 and 3, your toddler will develop several new cognitive skills like thinking for themselves, understanding commands, communicating with others and using their imagination. Examples of activities that help toddlers improve their cognitive skills include:
In the U.S., an estimated 17% of children have a developmental delay or disability such as:
When a developmental delay is found, early treatment offers the best outcome so your child can get back on track to meet milestones of growth. If the delay is not found early, it can be difficult for your child to learn when they start school. If you think your child might have a developmental delay, reach out to your child’s healthcare provider.
You know your toddler best. If you suspect something is wrong with their behavior or how they are learning, contact your healthcare provider.
Signs that your toddler has delayed development include:
It is important to act early if you suspect your toddler has delayed development so you’re your healthcare provider can screen and treat your toddler for any potential developmental disorders.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Your toddler is growing up quickly and is engaging more with the world around them. Keep track of their milestones between 1 and 3 years and speak with your child’s healthcare provider if you feel that your toddler is not on track to achieve their growth goals.
Last reviewed on 03/31/2022.
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