Child development and play
Child development and play ages 18 months to school age
Find information about child development and play based on your child's age. Remember that all children are unique and will reach development milestones at a time and rate that’s unique to them.
Read more about child development and play for children aged:
18 months old
Physical development:
- walks well, with their feet slightly apart
- runs however, finds it difficult to negotiate obstacles
- enjoys climbing, happy to climb up onto a chair or stairs
- creeps backwards downstairs
- with help can walk up and down stairs
- pulls toys when walking
Social and emotional development:
- able to use an open cup
- can self-feed confidently with a spoon
- helps to get dressed
- may begin to indicate wet or soiled nappy
- no sense of danger
- plays contently alone
- may have tantrums
- cling to caregivers in new situations or happy to explore new environments with parents close by
Cognitive, communication and speech development:
- explores the environment around them
- engages in simple pretend play
- can say between 6 and 20 single words
- builds a tower with three bricks
- understands nursery rhymes and will try to join in
- follows 1-step instructions
Ideas to encourage your toddler to learn and play:
- create joint play opportunities, encouraging sharing
- name what your toddler is pointing to
- name and point to body parts
- read to your toddler
- sing to your toddler
- encourage pretend play with toys
- encourage independence by allowing your toddler to help with dressing and undressing
2 years old
Physical development:
- runs confidently, able to stop and start with ease, avoiding obstacles
- pushes large toys on wheels such as a dolls pram or lorry, steering around corners or around obstacles
- beginning to jump with both feet together
- walks up and down the stairs holding onto the handrail
- stands on a step or chair to reach something
- sits on a ‘ride on’
- kicks a ball
Social and emotional development:
- likes to copy other children and adults
- gets excited when they see other children
- more independent and defiant
- engages with pretend play
- defends own possessions with determination
Cognitive, communication and speech development:
- shows a preference for a more dominant hand, such as right or left
- drawing straight lines and circles
- talking with short 2- to 4-word-sentences
- names objects when they’re pointed at
- follows 2-step instructions
- can say 50 every day words
Ideas to encourage your toddler to learn and play:
- roll a ball back and forth to your child
- tidy toys away together
- read to your toddler
- sing with your toddler
- name things you see when you’re out for a walk or shopping
- sorting games such as, colours and shapes
- encourage pretend play
- build towers
3 years old
Physical development:
- confident climber
- can use pedals on a tricycle
- jumps off the bottom step
- runs easily
- catch a large ball
Social and emotional development:
- shows affection for friends without prompting
- enjoys take in turn games
- shows concern for a crying friend
- happy to be separated from parents
- may become upset with a change in routine
- dress and undress themselves
- name a friend
- enjoys pretend play
Cognitive, communication and speech development:
- follows 3-step instructions
- can name most familiar everyday objects
- can say their name, age and sex
- using “I,” “me,” “we,” and “you”
- beginning to say plurals such as, dogs, cats, cars
- most people will understand what your toddler says
- can carry a conversation, using two or three sentences
- can work toys with buttons, flaps and moving parts
- can complete simple puzzles
- using the tripod grip when mark making
Ideas to encourage your baby to learn and play:
- read to your toddler, talking about what you see in the pictures
- encouraging singing together action songs
- encouraging mark making
- cutting with child safe scissors
- building dens
- play dough
Find some useful information now your child is 3 to help to keep them healthy and able to learn:
- speech, language and communication - when your child starts school they will need to ask for things, talk to their friends and be able to follow instructions. Talking at home as you make a meal together, while you're out shopping together or on the bus, reading stories and singing can all help your child’s speech, language and communication. Find speech, language and communication advice
- sleep - children of this age need to go to sleep early in the evening and sleep through the night to help them grow and develop. No screen time one hour before bed will help them to relax and fall asleep. Find healthy sleep tips for children
- exercise - children of this age need around 3 hours of physical activity a day to help them grow and develop. Running, jumping, climbing and playing outdoors are all great for your child. Read physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years)
- going to the toilet - learning to use the toilet rather than a potty is an important part of growing up. When your child starts school it will help if they can be independent using the toilet. Your child will want to be like their friends and wear underwear rather than pull-ups. Read information and advice about learning to use the toilet
- social interaction is very important to help your child to be school ready. York Family Information Service will help you with information on local social groups such as stay and play groups or music groups. They will also support you with 3 year funding and available settings like nurseries or childminders. Telephone: 01904 555444 or email: [email protected]
- vaccinations - a reminder that your child requires their next vaccination at 3 year 4 months. Flu vaccination (nasal spray) each winter after your child turns two years. Read guidance from the NHS about immunisations and when to have them
- vitamin D - the department of health recommends children should have a vitamin D supplement containing 10mcg daily, up to the age of 4 years old
- teeth - should be brushed twice a day with a fluoride tooth paste (1000ppm fluoride). Avoid sugary drinks and snacks, so teeth don’t decay. Parents and carers should help to brush teeth until the age of 7 years old. Bottles and dummies should be stopped as these can cause problems with teeth and speech. Read more about children's teeth. We advise you to register your child with a dentist and attend for regular check-ups if your child hasn’t already. This helps to spot problems early. Find an NHS dentist
Remember that your child is an individual.
If you would like advice or support please contact the Healthy Child Service. We have a team of Health Visitors and Child Development Workers who can help! Telephone: 01904 555475 from 9.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday or email: [email protected].
