What most children are doing around 30 months
These are milestones most children — 75 percent or more — can do by this age, from the CDC’s 2022 “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklists, with Canadian guidance from the Canadian Paediatric Society. Think of it as a picture of typical, not a finish line. Last reviewed 2026-07-03.
This isn’t a quiz, and there’s nothing to score. You can’t fail it and neither can your child. It’s a way to enjoy noticing what’s emerging — and to know what tends to come next.
Social and emotional
- plays next to other children and sometimes plays with them
- shows you what they can do, like saying "Look at me!"
- follows simple routines when told, like helping to pick up toys when you say "it's clean-up time"
Language and communication
- says about 50 words
- says two or more words together, with one action word, like "Doggie run"
- names things in a book when you point and ask "what is this?"
- says words like "I", "me", or "we"
Cognitive — learning and problem-solving
- uses things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food
- shows simple problem-solving skills, like standing on a small stool to reach something
- follows two-step instructions, like "put the toy down and close the door"
- shows they know at least one colour, like pointing to a red crayon when you ask
Movement and physical
- uses their hands to twist things, like turning doorknobs or unscrewing lids
- takes some clothes off by themselves, like loose pants or an open jacket
- jumps off the ground with both feet
- turns book pages one at a time when you read to them
Every child is different
All children develop skills at different times — the Canadian Paediatric Society notes it’s normal for a child to be ahead in some areas and still emerging in others at the same time. A child who took their first steps “late” and one who took them “early” usually both end up running around the playground. If your child was born early, look at their corrected age: their actual age minus the weeks they arrived early.
Canadian Paediatric Society — child developmentWhen it’s worth a chat with your provider
You know your child best — that’s the CDC’s own starting point. It’s worth mentioning to your child’s doctor or nurse practitioner if: your child isn’t meeting one or more of the milestones on their age’s list; your child has lost skills they once had (this one matters at any age); or something just feels off to you — a parent’s concern is reason enough.
None of these mean something is wrong. They mean a conversation is useful, because if support is ever needed, earlier is easier. What to ask for: a developmental screening (routinely recommended around 9, 18, and 30 months, with autism screening at 18 and 24 months); if concerns remain, a referral to a specialist; and in Canada, your provincial or territorial early-intervention or child-development program — you don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to ask.
CDC — Concerned About Your Child's Development?