Reaching Milestones: 36 to 48 Months

All children have their own timetable, but you can watch for certain developments in your 3-year-old. Celebrate with your child as she reaches or nears these milestones.

Child Milestones: Cognitive Development

• Correctly names as many as eight colors
• Understands the concept of counting; knows some numbers
• Sense of time improves (now, later, next)
• Remembers parts of stories
• Understands the concepts of same and different
• Explores cause and effect
• Likes to classify and organize objects (by size, color); sees patterns
• Does six- to eight-piece puzzles
• Identifies some signs and labels
• Uses role play (“You be the baby, and I’ll be the mommy.”)
• Likes fantasy play, beyond the pretend play that imitates everyday life (princesses and pirates)
• Still confuses fantasy and reality
• Follows three-part commands

Child Milestones: Motor Development

• Moves effortlessly (walking, running, jumping)
• Walks forward and backward
• Rides a tricycle
• Navigates stairs without support
• Catches a large ball
• Throws a small ball overhand
• Stands on one foot for five seconds
• Holds a crayon or pencil like an adult
• Draws a person with two to four body parts
• Uses scissors
• Copies some capital letters
• Dresses and undresses self
• Almost all have mastered potty training by age 4