Life with a 28-month-old is full of surprises. One moment they’re running in circles, the next they’re asking for another story, or trying to climb the sofa just to see if they can.
At this age, growth happens quickly, and parents often wonder: “Is this normal? Am I doing enough?”
The truth is, every toddler develops at their own pace. But knowing the typical milestones can help you guide, support, and celebrate each step along the way.
Let’s break down your child’s 28-month-old developmental milestones, one skill at a time.
Physical & Motor Milestones
Gross Motor Skills
Your little one is likely moving nonstop. By now, most 28-month-olds can run more smoothly, climb furniture, and even kick a ball across the room.
Some may attempt to hop on one foot, though it might look more like a wobbly bounce. Stairs are less intimidating now, and you may see them trying to go one foot per step.
Encourage this with safe climbing and lots of outdoor play. Turn cushions into a mini obstacle course or let them chase bubbles in the garden.
These playful moments build balance, confidence, and muscle strength — and they’re a joy to watch.
Fine Motor Skills
As your child starts to check off their 28-month-old developmental milestones one by one, you’ll see them become more and more skilled at using their hands.
At this age, children can pick up small objects with ease, stack blocks into wobbly towers, and flip through the pages of their favourite book.
Some may even start experimenting with feeding themselves using a spoon or fork, though mess is guaranteed.
Studies show that early fine motor skills predict later cognitive and language outcomes.
Give them chances to practise with chunky puzzles, stacking cups, or pretend tea sets.
Activities like scooping, pouring, and even scribbling on scrap paper strengthen hand-eye coordination and prepare them for future writing skills.
Language & Cognitive Development
Speech Milestone Expectations
This is the age when words start tumbling out. Many toddlers now use between 50 and 200 words, and they love stringing two or three together into little sentences like, “Want juice” or “Go park.”
You may hear them proudly naming objects around the house or copying your phrases in their own way.
The best way to support this? Talk to them constantly. Narrate your day. Expand on their words by adding one or two more. If they say “car,” you can say, “Yes, a red car.”
And don’t underestimate story time. Even ten minutes with a picture book each night makes a huge difference.
Cognitive Abilities
At 28 months, toddlers are problem-solvers in the making. You’ll notice more pretend play, like feeding a stuffed animal or pretending to cook. Sorting toys by shape or colour becomes a favourite pastime.
They also love testing cause-and-effect. Pouring water, dropping spoons, or pressing buttons just to see what happens.
There’s credible research backing the link between early motor development and cognition.
Give them opportunities to experiment. Hide a toy under a blanket and watch them hunt it down. Play simple matching games with cards or stickers. These playful challenges build memory, logic, and patience.
Social & Emotional Growth
Emotional Range
As part of your toddler’s 28-month-old developmental milestones, you will also see them display more complex emotions.
The toddler emotional rollercoaster is real. At this age, they experience joy, frustration, excitement, and sadness with surprising intensity.
Tantrums are still common, especially when they can’t yet express feelings with words.
Help them by naming emotions as they happen. “You look frustrated because the block fell.” This not only comforts them but also teaches them the words they need to communicate better in the future.
Peer Interaction
Don’t expect full-on playdates just yet. At 28 months, toddlers mostly engage in “parallel play,” which means they play beside other kids rather than with them.
That’s perfectly normal. Sharing is still tricky, and patience is limited. Still, short and supervised group play can be great practice.
Model gentle turn-taking and encourage small cooperative games, like rolling a ball back and forth. With time, these early social skills blossom into genuine friendships.
Fine Motor & Creative Skills
This is where creativity starts to shine. Crayons, stickers, playdough; toddlers love it all.
Their scribbles may not look like much, but they’re learning to control their hands, imitate strokes, and even draw circles.
Creative play goes beyond art. It’s in the way they dress up in mismatched costumes, pretend a cardboard box is a spaceship, or use a spoon as a magic wand.
Encourage these little bursts of imagination. They’re building problem-solving skills, independence, and joy.
When to Talk to a Paediatrician
Every child develops differently, but it’s good to keep an eye out for red flags. Reach out to your paediatrician if your child:
- isn’t using meaningful words or combining words.
- shows little interest in social interaction or eye contact.
- loses skills they had before, like walking or speaking.
- seems unusually stiff, floppy, or uncoordinated.
- doesn’t point to show or ask for things.
Your instincts matter. If something feels off, it’s always worth a check. Early support can make a big difference.
Expert Tips & Daily Activities
Outdoor Play Ideas
While your child will fulfill their 28-month-old developmental milestones with time, it helps to promote specific skills and abilities with various activities.
Fresh air works wonders. Simple activities like chasing bubbles, kicking a ball, or climbing the playground slide build strong muscles and coordination.
You don’t need fancy gear, even a short walk to collect leaves or rocks turns into a learning adventure.
Set up a safe “obstacle course” with pillows or chairs at home. Or let them splash with cups of water outside. These little games combine fun with skill-building.
Creative Art or Pretend Play
Art time doesn’t need to be neat. Hand over large crayons, stickers, or safe scissors and let them go wild.
Pretend play is just as powerful. A toy kitchen, a pretend shop, or even dressing up in mum’s old scarf sparks imagination.
Storytelling can also be interactive. You tell part of the story, and let your toddler fill in the silly bits, or act out a favourite tale with stuffed animals.
These small creative moments build memory, empathy, and language skills.
Celebrating Your Toddler’s Milestones
These 28-month-old developmental milestones should be used as a guide more than a rule. If your child seems like they are behind, just know that they will catch up to these goalposts in their own time.
The best thing you can do is offer love, encouragement, and patience. Celebrate small wins: a new word, a successful spoonful of yogurt, or a tiny block tower.
At this age, progress doesn’t always look tidy. But it’s in these messy, magical moments that your toddler is learning the most.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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