3-year-old milestones: the CDC checklist

Wording from the CDC.

Most children (75 in 100) do these things by 3 years; mark what your child does and take the list to your child’s doctor.

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Children born early usually use their actual age from age 2.

Social/Emotional Milestones

Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off
Notices other children and joins them to play

Language/Communication Milestones

Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges
Asks “who,” “what,” “where,” or “why” questions, like “Where is mommy/daddy?”
Says what action is happening in a picture or book when asked, like “running,” “eating,” or “playing”
Says first name, when asked
Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Draws a circle, when you show him how
Avoids touching hot objects, like a stove, when you warn her

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

Strings items together, like large beads or macaroni
Puts on some clothes by himself, like loose pants or a jacket
Uses a fork

Other important things to share with the doctor

CDC suggests these questions; the wording is CDC’s.

  1. What are some things you and your child do together?
  2. What are some things your child likes to do?
  3. Is there anything your child does or does not do that concerns you?
  4. Has your child lost any skills he/she once had?
  5. Does your child have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

What to ask the doctor

Talk with your child’s doctor. You know your child best. If you have a concern, don’t wait for the next visit: call your child’s doctor, share it, and ask about developmental screening.

Screenings at checkups. Doctors are advised to screen every child’s development with a standard questionnaire at the 9-, 18- and 30-month visits, and to screen for autism at the 18- and 24-month visits. You can ask for a screening at any visit.

If your child loses a skill. If your child stops doing something they used to do, at any age, call the doctor. Losing a skill is always worth a call.

You don’t need a referral. If your child is under 3, you can contact your state’s early intervention program yourself. From age 3, contact your local public school district, even if your child doesn’t go there. Find early intervention (CDC)

If you have concerns, talk to your child's doctor.

Sources: Zubler et al. 2022, Pediatrics 149(3) (the 2022 checklists); Lipkin and Macias 2020, Pediatrics 145(1) (the screening schedule); CDC’s early intervention pages.

Act early

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

If you or the doctor are still concerned

  • Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child more; and
  • Call your state or territory's early intervention program to find out if your child can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI.

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” page for this age.

Questions parents ask at 3 years

Answered from CDC’s 2022 checklists, quoting CDC’s wording exactly.

How well should a 3-year-old talk?

CDC’s 3-year list includes “Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time” and “Talks with you in conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges”. At 4 years it lists “Says sentences with four or more words”. CDC’s advice is to act early: if you have a concern, don’t wait, and talk with your child’s doctor.

My 3-year-old cries at drop-off. What does CDC list?

CDC’s 3-year list includes “Calms down within 10 minutes after you leave her, like at a childcare drop off”. Reacting to a parent leaving is on CDC’s lists from 9 months: “Reacts when you leave (looks, reaches for you, or cries)”. If you have a question about goodbyes, talk with your child’s doctor.

Should a 3-year-old be able to draw?

CDC’s 3-year list says “Draws a circle, when you show him how”. At 4 years it lists “Draws a person with three or more body parts”. If you have a question about drawing, talk with your child’s doctor.

What comes before and after 3 years

Show CDC’s 30-month and 4-year lists

CDC’s checklists for the checkpoints on either side of 3 years, word for word, by area of development. They are here to compare; the checklist to mark is the 3-year one above.

Social/Emotional Milestones

At 30 months

  • Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
  • Shows you what she can do by saying, “Look at me!”
  • Follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say, “It’s clean-up time.”

At 4 years

  • Pretends to be something else during play (teacher, superhero, dog)
  • Asks to go play with children if none are around, like “Can I play with Alex?”
  • Comforts others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend
  • Avoids danger, like not jumping from tall heights at the playground
  • Likes to be a “helper”
  • Changes behavior based on where she is (place of worship, library, playground)

Language/Communication Milestones

At 30 months

  • Says about 50 words
  • Says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run”
  • Names things in a book when you point and ask, “What is this?”
  • Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we”

At 4 years

  • Says sentences with four or more words
  • Says some words from a song, story, or nursery rhyme
  • Talks about at least one thing that happened during her day, like “I played soccer.”
  • Answers simple questions like “What is a coat for?” or “What is a crayon for?”

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

At 30 months

  • Uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
  • Shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
  • Follows two-step instructions like “Put the toy down and close the door.”
  • Shows he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”

At 4 years

  • Names a few colors of items
  • Tells what comes next in a well-known story
  • Draws a person with three or more body parts

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

At 30 months

  • Uses hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
  • Takes some clothes off by himself, like loose pants or an open jacket
  • Jumps off the ground with both feet
  • Turns book pages, one at a time, when you read to her

At 4 years

  • Catches a large ball most of the time
  • Serves herself food or pours water, with adult supervision
  • Unbuttons some buttons
  • Holds crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb (not a fist)

Tips and activities for 3 years

From CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program. The tips and activities below are CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s page for this age

What You Can Do for Your 3-year-old

As your child's first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try these simple tips and activities in a safe way. Talk with your child's doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your child's development.

  • Encourage your child to solve her own problems with your support. Ask questions to help her understand the problem. Help her think of solutions, try one out, and try more if needed.
  • Talk about your child's emotions and give him words to help him explain how he's feeling. Help your child manage stressful feelings by teaching him to take deep breaths, hug a favorite toy, or go to a quiet, safe place when he is upset.
  • Set a few simple and clear rules that your child can follow, such as use gentle hands when playing. If he breaks a rule, show him what to do instead. Later, if your child follows the rule, recognize and congratulate him.
More Parenting Tips and Activities (16)
  • Read with your child. Ask questions, such as "What is happening in the picture?" and/or "What do you think will happen next?" When she gives you an answer, ask for more details.
  • Play counting games. Count body parts, stairs, and other things you use or see every day. Children this age are starting to learn about numbers and counting.
  • Help your child develop his language skills by speaking to him in longer sentences than his, using real words. Repeat what he says, for example, "need nana," and then show how to use more "grown-up" words by saying, "I want a banana."
  • Let your child help with making meals. Give him simple tasks, such as washing fruits and vegetables or stirring.
  • Give your child instructions with 2 or 3 steps. For example, "Go to your room and get your shoes and coat."
  • Limit screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) to no more than 1 hour per day of a children's program with an adult present. Don't put any screens in your child's bedroom. Children learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others.
  • Teach your child simple songs and rhymes, such as "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."
  • Give your child an "activity box" with paper, crayons, and coloring books. Color and draw lines and shapes with your child.
  • Encourage your child to play with other children. This helps him learn the value of friendship and how to get along with others.
  • Let your child play with playdough by squishing it, pressing it, pinching it, and making balls in different colors. This builds her hand and finger muscles for writing, buttoning, and cutting.
  • Give your child simple, healthy food choices. For example, at snack time ask, "Do you want carrots or an apple?"
  • Play games to teach opposites. Get down low and say, "I am small." Then stand up and say, "I am big." Do the same thing for fast/slow, quiet/loud.
  • Play matching games. Ask your child to find objects in books or around the house that are the same.
  • Play outside with your child. Go to the park or a walking trail. Allow your child plenty of time to choose what and how she wants to play. Join her and follow her lead.
  • Help your child be ready for new places and meeting new people. For example, you can read stories or role play (pretend play) about new places or things to help him feel more comfortable.
  • Encourage your child to tell you her name and age.

On CDC’s site

The checklist on this page is CDC’s, word for word. CDC’s site already has an online checklist for each age. What this page adds: a corrected-age calculator and a list for the doctor that prints without an email step.

More for parents

Milestone checklist: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”, 2022 revision. Source: CDC. Read this checklist on cdc.gov

Use of CDC material on this page does not imply endorsement by CDC, ATSDR, HHS or the United States Government.

Prepared by MyTestAtlas from CDC materials.