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Developmental milestones -- 2 to 3 years

2 to 3 year age group is when children show interest in doing things on their own. It is also the time when most Indian kids start their informal schooling with preschool or kindergarten. While the debate is still on whether preschool education is necessary, the social benefits of sending children to playschool are undeniable. And this could especially hold true for kids in nuclear families. Preschools allow kids to interact with kids their own age in both structured and non-structured environments. Preschool for children below 3 should have no formal instruction. It should be only about play and unstructured and social activities. Here are the changes that happen in a child that prepares him/her for the preschool as he/she reaches the age of three: PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 1. Your little one is not really little any more. She will on an average grow about 2 - 3 inches and gain about 2 to 2.5 kg. 2. Improved balance: She can run easily, can tip toe and walk on heels. Ballerina in the making? She will be able to climb stairs, one foot per step by the age of 3. 3. Pedals a tricycle: Yes, a tricycle would be a perfect birthday gift as your child turns 3. She will first be able to use a four wheeled ride-on toy by pushing it along with her feet. Moving it using alternating feet improves coordination and muscle strength and readies hers to pedal a tricycle. 4. Catching and throwing ball: Catching a ball comes around the age of 48 months or three to four years. Initially, she is able to cath a ball that is rolling. She may be able to catch a large ball thrown at her from a short distance. 5. Sharper eyes and ears: A child should be able to sees small shapes clearly from a distance of 20 feet. She should be able to hear clearly too. 6. All primary teeth erupted: By the age of three children usually have all their 20 milk teeth. 7. Bowel and bladder control:  daytime control over bowel and bladder functions is another achievement. Children can be toilet trained by the time they are 3 if they exhibit physical and mental readiness. 8. Holding a pencil: Your child will try to hold a pencil on the underside of the hand with all the fingers (digital prontate grasp) while scribbling. 9. Manages a regular cup: The motor skills and coordination to pick up a cup and hold it steady is achieved by the age of three. Warning Signs: When should you worry If your child falls frequently and has difficulty climbing stairs, consult her paediatrician. LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT India is a multilingual society. Most children here are exposed to more than one language from a very early age. Multilingualism can help a child develop superior reading and writing skills as well as better analytical, social and academic skills.1 Studies suggest that speaking two or more languages may significantly delay the onset of dementia.2 Your child may have these language developments between the age 2 to 3: 1. Additions to the vocabulary: Your child builds on her vocabulary rapidly and learns more new words between age two to three. Listening to her adorable talk will surely brighten up your day. 2. Your child can name most familiar things. She can say her own name and age. She can even name a friend. 3. This is the time when she stars using words like ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘me’, etc. Her speech is clearer. She is able to talk and express adequately by the age of three. 4. Increased comprehension – Your child’s understanding of the language increases. She can now understand words like ‘in’, ‘on’, etc. Warning sign: When should you be worried It should ring an alarm when a child:
  • Is not able to produce words or phrases spontaneously
  • Uses only certain sounds or words repeatedly but can’t use oral language to communicate more than his/her immediate needs
  • Has unusual tone of voice such as raspy or nasal sounding
  • Does not speak clearly. It becomes difficult for others to understand when child talks.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT She is not a baby anymore. But she still isn’t a grown up kid yet. You will have lots of answering to do. Because your kid will have lots of questions! The intellectual development and thinking skills of your child continues to increase from the age of two to three. 1. With an improved attention span your three-year-old can follow multi-step instructions, absorb information, understand concepts and is able to learn new skills. She is creative and inquisitive. 2. Identify colours:  Your tiny tot will be able to name and identify few colours. She may even know a few numbers. 3. Your child’s spatial awareness increases. She will be able to tell apart small from large. She can even sort and match objects according to their colour, shape, size, etc. 4. The use of memory steadily improves in your toddler. As her ability to remember and recall improves she will be able to tell you a lot about her day. 5. Your child will have a vivid imagination. You will be amazed at the stories she makes up. 6. Her processing and understanding skills will help her figures out how to open doors, unscrew jar lids, etc. She may be able to complete simple puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces. 7. Skilful use of hands: Your child can manipulate buttons and levers on mechanical toys, places small objects in designated places, build a tower with blocks, turn pages of a book 8. She can copy a circle. Left or right handedness of your child is usually evident by age 3. 9. Self-care - Brushes hair, brushes teeth with help, feeds self, wipes nose when asked, can take off and put on clothes on own but may be needing help with buttons. Warning sign: When should you worry
  • Not responding to caretaker, no eye contact when talked to
  • Unable to follow simple instruction
  • Cannot point to objects
  • Has trouble handling small objects, trouble scribbling
  • Loses a skill that the child once had
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The joint family system in India provides a conducive environment for instilling social values and interpersonal skills in children. A child by the age of 3 years may reach these social milestones: 1. Your child develops friendships. She shows more interest in other children and is empathetic and affectionate towards friends. She shares and takes turns while playing with them. 2. Your child could be a good actor as she imitates adults and friends. 3. She develops a sense of humour. She will laugh at simple jokes. 4. Your kid by the age of three starts to understand the idea of what is hers and others. Warning signs: What should you worry
  • Still struggles with separation anxiety
  • No interaction with people other than family
  • Little or no interest in playing with other children
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1. A three-year-old has a wide range of emotions and can easily get upset and cross. As the tantrums are reduced your child learns to establish balance of happiness and contentment 2. Your child is developing her identity and confidence. 3. She expresses affection openly. She cannot yet control her impulses to regulate and manage her own emotions. Separation anxiety is usually eased. 4. She does not like change. Major changes in routine can be upsetting to her. Warning sign: Consult your child’s paediatrician if she has frequent and prolonged tantrums and also prefers to spend most of her time playing in solitude.   This article has been verified by Dr Mona P Gajre, Professor of Paediatrics & Head – Learning Disability Clinic, Lokmanya Tilak General Hospital, Mumbai.   You may also like to read: Developmental milestones — 0 to 1 year Development milestones — 1 to 2 years Developmental milestone: Has your baby started walking? Developmental milestones: Should you worry about your child’s delayed speech?
For more articles on parenting, visit our parenting section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. References: 1. Luk G, Bialystok E, Craik FI, Grady CL. Lifelong bilingualism maintains white matter integrity in older adults. J Neurosci. 2011 Nov 16;31(46):16808-13. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4563-11.2011. PubMed PMID: 22090506; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3259110. 2. Freedman M, Alladi S, Chertkow H, et al. Delaying Onset of Dementia: Are Two Languages Enough? Behavioural Neurology. 2014;2014:808137. doi:10.1155/2014/808137.

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