A bearded father holds his young toddler in his arms outdoors, both looking off to the side in dappled sunlight beneath tree branches.
Your child from 23–36 Months

Perceptual and Motor Development

How do children become skillful at sensing the world around them and moving?

How do children become skillful at sensing the world around them and moving?

  • Walking confidently, running, jumping, and climbing stairs
  • Building towers and manipulating small parts with improved precision
  • Using utensils and dressing skills with growing independence
  • Turning pages one at a time and drawing simple shapes
  • Coordinating vision and movement to reach, aim, and catch

Each child develops at their own pace and may show some skills earlier or later than others; the videos provide a few examples of how children may demonstrate these skills and concepts.

How do children use their senses together to solve problems and take part in play and daily routines?

Children quickly and easily use sight, sound, touch, and movement to plan and complete tasks. They talk louder when it is noisy, fit shapes correctly on the first try, move carefully to avoid spills, and sense textures.

What do you notice about how children use their body to accomplish their goal?

How do children use their whole body and hands to play, run, and do everyday tasks?

Children run, jump, climb playground steps, kick or push balls, and use both hands together for more precise actions like turning a lid, stacking blocks, or using a spoon.

What are children doing to exercise their small and large muscles?

Additional Videos

Foundation 2.2: Fine Motor Development

23–36 Months