30-month-old milestones: the CDC checklist

Wording from the CDC.

Most children (75 in 100) do these things by 30 months; 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

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.”

Language/Communication Milestones

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”

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

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?”

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

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

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 30 months

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

How many words should a 2½-year-old say?

CDC’s 30-month list says “Says about 50 words”, with “Says two or more words together, with one action word, like “Doggie run”” and “Says words like “I,” “me,” or “we””. At 3 years CDC lists “Talks well enough for others to understand, most of the time”. CDC’s advice is to act early: if you have a concern, don’t wait, and talk with your child’s doctor.

Should my 30-month-old know colors?

At 30 months CDC lists “Shows he knows at least one color, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask, “Which one is red?”” Naming them comes later: “Names a few colors of items” is on the 4-year list. If you have a question about it, talk with your child’s doctor.

Does a 2½-year-old play with other children?

CDC’s 30-month list says “Plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them”. At 3 years it lists “Notices other children and joins them to play”. If you have a question about play, talk with your child’s doctor.

What comes before and after 30 months

Show CDC’s 24-month and 3-year lists

CDC’s checklists for the checkpoints on either side of 30 months, word for word, by area of development. They are here to compare; the checklist to mark is the 30-month one above.

Social/Emotional Milestones

At 24 months

  • Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying
  • Looks at your face to see how to react in a new situation

At 3 years

  • 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

At 24 months

  • Points to things in a book when you ask, like “Where is the bear?”
  • Says at least two words together, like “More milk.”
  • Points to at least two body parts when you ask him to show you
  • Uses more gestures than just waving and pointing, like blowing a kiss or nodding yes

At 3 years

  • 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)

At 24 months

  • Holds something in one hand while using the other hand; for example, holding a container and taking the lid off
  • Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons on a toy
  • Plays with more than one toy at the same time, like putting toy food on a toy plate

At 3 years

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

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

At 24 months

  • Kicks a ball
  • Runs
  • Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs with or without help
  • Eats with a spoon

At 3 years

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

Tips and activities for 30 months

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 30-month-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 "free play," where your child can follow her interests, try new things, and use things in new ways.
  • Use positive words and give more attention to behaviors you want to see ("wanted behaviors"), than to those you don't want to see. For example, say "I like how you gave Jordan the toy."
  • Give your child food choices that are simple and healthy. Let him choose what to eat for a snack or what to wear. Limit choices to two or three.
More Parenting Tips and Activities (20)
  • Ask your child simple questions about books and stories. Ask questions, such as "Who?" "What?" and "Where?"
  • Help your child learn how to play with other children. Show him how by helping him share, take turns, and use his "words."
  • Let your child "draw" with crayons on paper, shaving cream on a tray, or chalk on a sidewalk. If you draw a straight line, see if she will copy you. When she gets good at lines, show her how to draw a circle.
  • Let your child play with other children, such as at a park or library. Ask about local play groups and pre-school programs. Playing with others helps him learn the value of sharing and friendship.
  • Eat family meals together as much as you can. Give the same meal to everyone. Enjoy each other's company and avoid screen time (TV, tablets, and phones, etc.) during meals.
  • Limit screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) to no more than 1 hour per day of a children's program with an adult present. Children learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others.
  • Use words to describe things to your child, such as big/small, fast/slow, on/off, and in/out.
  • Help your child do simple puzzles with shapes, colors, or animals. Name each piece when your child puts it in place.
  • Play with your child outside. For example, take your child to the park to climb on equipment and run in safe areas.
  • Allow your child to eat as much or as little as she wants at each meal. Your job is to offer her healthy foods and it's your child's job to decide if and how much she wants to eat.
  • Ask your child's doctor and/or teachers about toilet training to know if your child is ready to start. Most children are not able to toilet train until 2 to 3 years old. Starting too early can cause stress and setbacks, which can cause training to take longer.
  • Let your child play with large boxes. He can pretend it is a car, bus, train, or house. Let him color, paint it, and put stickers on it.
  • Play with your child outside by playing "ready, set, go." For example, pull your child back in a swing. Say "Ready, set...", then wait and say "Go" when you push the swing.
  • Encourage your child to name colors, body parts, and pictures in books.
  • Kick a ball back and forth with your child. When your child is good at that, show her how to run and kick the ball.
  • Have steady routines for sleeping and feeding. Create a calm, quiet bedtime for your child. Put on her pajamas, brush her teeth, and read 1 or 2 books to her. Children this age need 11 to 14 hours of sleep a day (including naps). Consistent sleep times make it easier.
  • Play "follow the leader" with your child. Walk in a straight line, make turns, walk backwards, and walk on tiptoes. Let your child lead after you show him how.
  • Read to your child and visit the local library. This will help your child enjoy reading and be ready to read when she is older.
  • Encourage "pretend" play. For example, let your child pretend to cook using safe things from your kitchen.
  • Show your child how to turn pages in a book or magazine.

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.