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Between 30 and 36 months, your toddler is becoming a big kid, with physical skills that amaze you every day. At this age, children are always on the move and love doing things like turning handles and doorknobs or pedaling a tricycle. 

Physical Milestones

Your 30 to 36 month old toddler also likely:

• Takes part in group activities that include running, galloping, crawling, rolling over, and twirling around.
• Walks on a narrow beam, putting one foot in front of the other for a few steps.
• Climbs the ladder of a slide or other play equipment.
• Holds a pencil as if to print.
• Copies drawings of a cross, circles, dots, small lines, and swirls.
• Cuts paper with small safety scissors. However, your toddler may not be able to cut along a line.
• Turns pages of a book one at a time.

Play and Activity

Praise your toddler's skill at dancing, climbing and other activities. These are huge accomplishments and each one should be celebrated - just make sure your child is being safe. Here are some more tips for supporting your toddler’s physical development:

• Continue to breastfeed.
• Set up a big target for your toddler to aim at when throwing or kicking a ball.
• Be physically active with your toddler by doing things like playing tag or rolling down a hill.
• Play music and provide colourful scarves to move and dance with.
• Show your toddler movements like galloping and twirling by playing “follow the leader.”
• Show your toddler pictures of different animals and ask him to move like them: “Show me how you move like a fish!”
• Create a simple obstacle course with blocks and hoops.
• Let your toddler turn the pages of the book while you are reading.
• Provide writing and art supplies, such as pencils, markers, crayons, or chalk. Supervise the activity and only give a few supplies at a time.
• Help your toddler cut out small pieces of paper to use as tickets for a puppet show.
• Provide different kinds of dress up clothes with snaps, buttons, and zippers.
• Talk about safety rules and explain how to use playground equipment carefully.

Other Physical Milestones

Between 30 and 36 months your toddler may also:

• Walk forward and backward on a narrow beam.
• Ride a tricycle, steering well and using the pedals.
• Kick a ball so it sometimes goes where he wants.
• Throw a ball overhand with fairly good aim.
• Take part in circle games with many players, such as musical chairs, hokey pokey, or The Farmer in the Dell.
• Scribble with pencils, crayons, and markers.
• Draw squiggles and claim it’s her name.
• Join in songs and finger plays.
• Play with different manipulative toys (toys that your toddler can hold and move), such as connecting straws, snap blocks, or folding paper.
• Put on and take off clothes.

Resources and Links:
HealthLink BC: Growth and Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years