31–36 Month Toddler Development Checklist: Preparing for Preschool with Confidence and Curiosity

From 31 to 36 months, toddlers continue to grow rapidly in their ability to think, communicate, and navigate social situations. This phase bridges toddlerhood and early childhood, setting the stage for preschool readiness. With more independence and a blossoming personality, your child is exploring more complex emotions, ideas, and relationships. In this SEO-optimized blog post, we’ll provide a detailed developmental checklist to help you support and celebrate your toddler’s progress.

Why 31–36 Months Is a Key Stage

This period is crucial for building foundational skills in language, behavior regulation, and early academics. Toddlers at this age are eager to try new things, ask questions, and engage with peers. Encouraging their curiosity and supporting consistent routines will help them transition more smoothly into preschool environments.

Developmental Checklist for 31–36 Month-Olds

1. Physical Growth & Motor Skills

• Walks, runs, and climbs with increased coordination

• Begins to pedal a tricycle

• Stacks 8–10 blocks

• Turns book pages one at a time

• Uses utensils skillfully to eat meals

• Starts drawing simple shapes like circles

2. Cognitive Development

• Understands simple concepts like big/small, up/down, over/under

• Begins to count small groups of objects (1–3)

• Completes simple puzzles with 3–5 pieces

• Asks “why” and “what” questions frequently

• Engages in imaginative and symbolic play

3. Social & Emotional Growth

• Shows a strong sense of self (e.g., “I do it!”)

• Begins to understand the concept of sharing, though may struggle with it

• Expresses a range of emotions and may start identifying feelings in others

• Enjoys playing near and with peers (cooperative play emerges)

• May have fears (e.g., of the dark or being alone)

4. Communication & Language

• Uses 250–500 words and continues learning new ones rapidly

• Forms complete 3–4 word sentences

• Uses pronouns (I, you, me, he/she)

• Follows two- to three-step directions

• Tells simple stories or explains what happened in their day

Red Flags to Watch For

Speak with your pediatrician if your toddler:

• Doesn’t use two- to three-word phrases consistently

• Struggles to understand simple instructions

• Doesn’t engage in pretend play

• Avoids eye contact or interaction with peers

• Has unclear speech more than half the time

How Parents Can Support Development

• Engage in Conversations: Ask open-ended questions and listen to your child’s stories

• Play Together Creatively: Use pretend play to explore emotions and problem-solving

• Provide Early Learning Opportunities: Introduce numbers, letters, and shapes through play

• Model Positive Social Behavior: Practice taking turns, sharing, and showing empathy

• Establish Consistent Routines: Helps toddlers feel secure and builds independence

Final Thoughts

The 31–36 month stage is full of imagination, experimentation, and emotional growth. Use this time to nurture your child’s confidence and curiosity while preparing them for the next big step—preschool. With your support, they’ll be ready to take on new environments and relationships with excitement.

Help your toddler thrive—through every question, crayon scribble, and moment of “I can do it myself!”

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