3 Years

Try scooters, balance bikes and tricycles from 2-3 years. You can try this even earlier if your toddler shows they’re interested.
Play "follow the leader" with your child. Walk in a straight line, make turns, walk backwards, and walk on tiptoes. Let your child lead after you show him how.
Go for outdoor play in parks or backyards, at the beach, or anywhere your toddler can safely walk, run and explore. This gives your toddler the chance to practice gross motor skills on hilly, sandy, rocky and other surfaces.
Let your toddler use playground equipment. It’s important to supervise your child to help them avoid injury.
Play with balls together. For example, you and your toddler could roll a ball backwards and forwards.

Let your child help with making meals. Give him simple tasks, such as washing fruits and vegetables or stirring.
Give your child an "activity box" with paper, crayons, and coloring books. Color and draw lines and shapes with your child.
Let your child play with playdough by squishing it, pressing it, pinching it, and making balls in different colors. This builds her hand and finger muscles for writing, buttoning, and cutting.
Provide a sheet of large stickers and a piece of paper with circles, shapes, or simple pictures. Invite your child to peel the stickers and place them on the targets.
Place pom-poms in one bowl and ask your child to move them into another bowl using child-safe tongs or tweezers.
Invite your child to thread large beads onto a shoelace, sturdy string, or pipe cleaner.
Give your child colorful paper to tear into small pieces. Help them glue the pieces onto a larger sheet of paper to create a picture or design.

Talk about your child's emotions and give him words to help him explain how he's feeling. Help your child manage stressful feelings by teaching him to take deep breaths, hug a favorite toy, or go to a quiet, safe place when he is upset.
Set a few simple and clear rules that your child can follow, such as use gentle hands when playing. If he breaks a rule, show him what to do instead. Later, if your child follows the rule, recognize and congratulate him.
Encourage your child to play with other children. This helps him learn the value of friendship and how to get along with others.
Help your child be ready for new places and meeting new people. For example, you can read stories or role play (pretend play) about new places or things to help him feel more comfortable.
Encourage your child to tell you her name and age.

Talks well enough for strangers to understand them most of the time

Is difficult for familiar people to understand or is not speaking in short sentences.
Has difficulty understanding or following simple directions.
Shows little interest in playing with other children or engaging in pretend play.
Has difficulty running, jumping, climbing stairs, or participating in age-appropriate playground activities.
Has difficulty using crayons, stacking blocks, turning pages, or completing simple self-care tasks (e.g., using utensils, dressing).
Has significant difficulty with mealtimes, chewing, or eating a variety of foods.
Frequently becomes overwhelmed by everyday sounds, textures, or changes in routine, making it difficult to participate in daily activities.
Loses skills they previously had.
You have concerns about your child's communication, feeding, play, behavior, learning, or overall development.

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