Months 28-30 Development & Milestones

During the 28 to 30 month period, toddlers are continuing to develop in a number of ways, from their newfound language skills and creative play to more precise motor abilities and expanding social interactions. This stage has plenty of opportunities for discovery, learning, and fun, both for your toddler and for you as a caregiver.

Prepare to be wowed as your toddler begins to articulate thoughts more clearly, solve small problems with surprising ingenuity, and manage their emotional world with (slightly) greater control. With support and encouragement, you can help pave the way for your child’s continued growth and success during these formative months. Let’s explore what developmental milestones to look out for and how we can best encourage their growth during this stage.

Physical Development

28 Months: You can expect girls to typically weigh around 12.3 kg with a height of approximately 89.1 cm, while boys might weigh about 12.9 kg and measure around 90.4 cm tall.

29 Months: Girls are likely to weigh about 12.5 kg and reach 89.9 cm in height, and boys may weigh around 13.1 kg and stand 91.2 cm tall.

30 Months: It’s common for girls to weigh about 12.7 kg and stand about 90.7 cm tall, with boys weighing about 13.3 kg and reaching a height of approximately 91.9 cm.

Cognitive Development

Between the months of 28 and 30, watch as your toddler’s problem-solving abilities take off, their memory sharpens, and their pretend play becomes more intentional and involved. Here’s an idea of the cognitive milestones they’ll likely reach:

• Understanding and Communication: When you gently explain why certain things are off-limits with a soft “no,” your little one is beginning to grasp the reasons behind your guidance. And when they chat away to themselves? It’s their way of practising speech and organising their thoughts.
• Imaginative Play: The world of make-believe knows no bounds! Whether your tot is serving tea to their teddies or zooming through space on a sofa-cushion spaceship, this play is important. It enhances their language skills and helps them understand complex sequences and social norms.
• Sorting and Problem Solving: From sorting blocks by colour and size to figuring out the best way to retrieve a favourite toy, your toddler is constantly categorising the world.
• Learning to Count: Your little one may surprise you when they start reciting numbers off their fingers! Learning to count typically happens around this stage.

Suggested Activities

Interactive story times that spark discussions and predictions, puzzles that challenge them to think critically, and sorting games that fine-tune their categorisation skills. These fun activities are helpful in nurturing a curious and eager young mind!

Emotional & Social Development

At 28 to 30 months, your toddler is not only improving their play and interaction skills, but also developing a deeper understanding of their own emotions and those of others. Here’s what’s going on during this adorable stage:

• Whirlwind of Emotions: Your toddler’s emotions may seem to change with the wind. One minute they might be giggling, and the next, they could be on a rampage – big feelings for such little people! This is a normal and healthy part of their emotional growth.
• Fearful but Inexpressive: Your child may be fearful of certain things or situations but might struggle to express their fear. This can sometimes lead to clinginess or sudden tears. Offer comfort and understanding!
• Jealousy and Sibling Rivalry: Sometimes, your toddler may show signs of jealousy or frustration toward a brother or sister. These emotions can manifest as anger or acting out, so it’s crucial to give each child individual attention and teach them how to share.
• Desire for Control: Your toddler is likely very interested in having some control over their situations and experiences. Allowing them to make small choices, like picking out their clothes, can satisfy this need and build their confidence at the same time!
• Practising Manners: They can practise simple good manners, such as saying “please” and “thank you.” Encouraging these polite behaviours helps them develop social skills and respect for others.
• Need for Reassurance: They still rely heavily on parents for reassurance, especially in new or challenging situations. Offering consistent support and encouragement helps them feel safe and confident in their growing world!
• Difficulty Making Choices: They are still too inexperienced to make good choices consistently. Providing clear options and gentle guidance can help them make decisions more effectively.
• Time and Routine: They’re getting a handle on the daily rhythm, knowing what happens next helps them feel secure and confident. Understanding time enhances their ability to anticipate and enjoy activities throughout the day.

Suggested Activities

Regular routines that they can predict and rely on will support their emotional stability, while conversations about feelings will help them articulate and understand their big emotions! Practice identifying more complex emotions and making the corresponding expressions for a guaranteed giggle.

Language & Communication

This period between the second and third birthdays brings obvious improvements in their ability to communicate, filled with exciting developments that will warm your heart and evoke plenty of proud parent moments. Here’s what to watch for during these months:

• Nursery Rhymes: Remember all of those nursery rhymes you’ve had stuck in your head for the past 2+ years? Your little one may begin singing them on their own! Hearing the cadence, rhythm and rhymes of the familiar songs helps them to establish a foundation for languages.
• Early Readers: You’ll notice them starting to recognize their name in print and even pointing out a few letters they know. This early literacy milestone is exciting for parents and sets the stage for reading.
• Enhanced Understanding: Your little one is beginning to grasp the explanations that you give when you explain why they can’t do something. It’s a small step, but an important one!

Suggested Activities

Initiate games that involve naming objects and actions around them, enhancing their vocabulary mastery and understanding. Singing nursery rhymes together not only makes for fun bonding time but also helps develop their memory and phonetic awareness.

Sensory & Motor Skills

Between 28 and 30 months, get ready to witness a parade of new abilities that demonstrate their growing coordination and sensory understanding. Here’s what you can expect during this stage:

• Movement and Exploration: Your little one’s love for movement continues to grow, and they might get upset if you try to stop or restrict them!
• Advanced Motor Skills: You’re likely to find your little one turns knobs with excitement, pedals tricycles with more and more confidence, and navigates playgrounds like tiny explorers.
• Fine Motor Mastery: Your toddler is probably improving precise movements like unscrewing lids or using a crayon to draw simple lines and shapes. Each of these tasks is a mini-lesson in dexterity!
• Making Music: Whether it’s banging on a drum or playing songs on a xylophone, music plays a big role in their sensory development. These activities are helpful in developing rhythm, listening skills, and auditory discrimination.
• Navigational Skills: Climbing slides and walking down stairs with a little help will show you just how much their coordination has improved.

Suggested Activities

To support and encourage these developments, provide a variety of engaging and challenging activities. Set up a mini obstacle course in your backyard or at a nearby park to challenge their climbing and balancing skills. Craft time with scissors, glue, and crayons will hone their fine motor skills while unleashing their inner artist.

Pro Tip: Throw down a tarp or some newspaper before arts and crafts time to make for easy cleanup!

Feeding & Nutrition

This is a great time to introduce a broader variety of recipes, mirroring what the rest of the family enjoys. Encourage their curiosity about food by involving them in meal preparations such as washing vegetables, mixing ingredients, or setting the table, which can enhance their interest and willingness to try new foods.

To keep nutrition both fun and educational, consider integrating activities like making a colourful food chart where your toddler can add stickers for each new food they try, or reading storybooks that include themes about cooking and food.

Sleep Patterns

Most toddlers at this stage still require around 11-14 hours of total sleep, which typically includes a daytime nap. Keeping bedtime and wake-up times consistent (yes, even on weekends) helps to promote restful toddler sleep. A soothing bedtime routine that might include a storybook, turning down the lights, and some quiet time can help hint to your toddler that the day is coming to an end and sleep is around the corner!

Health & Safety

As your toddler becomes more adventurous, nook and cranny, ensuring their environment is safe is just as important as when they were beginning to walk. As they gain independence and begin testing limits, continuous supervision is essential to keep them safe while they learn about their capabilities and boundaries.

According to the Australian National Immunisation Program Schedule, your toddler at this age should be up to date on all immunisation recommendations. The annual flu shot, which is free for children under the age of 5, is highly recommended to protect them during the flu season.

When to Speak to Your Paediatrician

Regular health check-ups are important to track your child’s progress in areas like speech, motor skills, social behaviours, and overall health. These appointments provide a perfect opportunity to discuss any concerns you might have about your toddler’s development, whether it’s about hitting milestones, managing tantrums, or establishing sleep routines.

If you observe any behaviours or delays that seem out of the ordinary, it’s important to mention these to your paediatrician. If you’re worried about persistent issues such as frequent, prolonged tantrums, extreme shyness, or difficulties in social interactions, make sure to bring these up during your visits as well.

Need a chat? Our Careline is always here to support you.

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