At 35 months old, your child is approaching the exciting three-year mark. Their 35-month-old developmental milestones is a stage filled with newfound confidence, stronger emotions, and boundless imagination.
They’re more talkative, more expressive, and more aware of how their actions affect others.
Physically, they’re agile and coordinated, while cognitively, they’re making impressive strides in memory and reasoning.
These 35-month-old developmental milestones show how your toddler is beginning to transition from babyhood to early childhood, ready to explore, question, and understand their world on deeper levels.
Physical & Motor Milestones
Stronger Coordination and Control
Your 35-month-old now moves with grace and purpose. They can run, climb, and even balance briefly on one foot.
Activities like kicking or throwing a ball become more accurate, and they may try to hop or dance along to music.
These abilities demonstrate maturing muscle control and better balance, both essential for preschool readiness.
Refined Dexterity and Precision
Fine motor skills are advancing, too. You may notice your child drawing more recognisable shapes, threading beads, or managing zippers with little assistance.
These tasks develop hand strength and coordination, key foundations for early writing and self-care independence.
You can continue to get them to help around the house in small ways such as open bottles or measure out cooking ingredients or use spoons and other utensils.
Communication & Cognitive Development
Complex Sentences and Conversations
Speech becomes more fluid as your 35-month-old begins using longer, more descriptive sentences.
They can tell simple stories, describe experiences, and express opinions.
Their understanding of pronouns, plurals, and basic grammar is also improving, helping them communicate thoughts with increasing clarity and intent.
Sharper Thinking and Memory
Your toddler can now remember routines and familiar events with remarkable detail.
They start anticipating what comes next, such as knowing bath time follows dinner.
This growing memory supports early problem-solving skills, while imaginative play becomes a canvas for storytelling and logical thinking.
Social & Emotional Development
Growing Sense of Identity
At this age, your child is becoming more aware of themselves as an individual.
They might refer to themselves by name, express preferences for certain toys or clothes, and even show pride in personal achievements.
This self-awareness strengthens autonomy and emotional intelligence.
Learning to Cooperate and Share
Social play becomes more interactive as your child starts enjoying group activities and role play.
While sharing doesn’t always come naturally, they begin understanding turn-taking and the importance of friendships.
Gentle guidance during conflicts helps them build empathy and communication skills.
Sensory & Perceptual Development
Keen Awareness of Environment
Your 35-month-old is increasingly observant. They can spot small details in pictures, remember where toys are kept, and identify familiar sounds or smells.
This heightened sensory awareness helps them navigate their environment confidently and enhances curiosity.
Developing Spatial Understanding
They’re getting better at understanding space, direction, and distance.
Whether stacking blocks higher or fitting shapes into a sorter, these skills show improving visual-spatial reasoning.
This will be the same foundational skill that will later help them when they eventually learn mathematics and general problem-solving.
When to Talk to a Paediatrician
If you have concerns about your 35-month-old developmental milestones, it’s always wise to discuss them with your paediatrician.
Consult a paediatrician if your toddler:
- has trouble speaking in short sentences
- struggles with coordination
- shows little interest in interacting with others
- has difficulty following simple instructions
- shows limited eye contact
Early assessment ensures that any underlying issues are addressed before preschool begins.
Expert Tips & Daily Activities
Encourage Real-World Exploration
Take your child on simple outdoor adventures: a walk through the park, a trip to the market, or helping water plants.
These small activities introduce new vocabulary, sensory experiences, and a sense of curiosity about the world.
Introduce Creative Storytelling
Encourage pretend play using their favourite toys. Join in as a co-player to spark imagination and help your child express emotions through stories.
This strengthens language skills and nurtures empathy and emotional understanding.
Build Early Responsibility
Give your toddler mini “jobs” like helping set the table or putting away toys. These small responsibilities make them feel capable and valued, fostering independence and confidence.
Promote Teamwork and Sharing
Play games that involve cooperation, building blocks together, baking cookies, or completing puzzles as a team.
Such activities teach patience, sharing, and working towards a goal, reinforcing social and emotional development in a fun, natural way.
Growing Into Independence
As your toddler nears age three, every new skill marks another step toward greater independence.
These 35-month-old developmental milestones highlight just how capable your little one has become.
With patience, encouragement, and lots of love, you’re helping them build the confidence and curiosity that will carry them into the preschool years and beyond.
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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