From the Guidelines
At 30 months, children should be demonstrating specific developmental milestones, including gross motor, fine motor, speech, and oral motor skills, and any significant delays should be evaluated by healthcare professionals. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement, at the 30-month visit, most motor delays will have already been identified during previous visits, but more subtle gross motor, fine motor, speech, and oral motor impairments may emerge at this visit 1. Some key milestones to expect at this age include:
- Gross motor skills: running easily, climbing well, kicking balls, and beginning to jump with both feet
- Fine motor skills: sorting objects by shape and color, completing simple puzzles, and building towers of 4 or more blocks
- Speech and language skills: speaking in short sentences of 3-4 words, following 2-step commands, and using pronouns like "I," "me," and "you"
- Social skills: showing affection without prompting, engaging in parallel play alongside other children, and imitating adults and peers It is essential to note that continuous developmental surveillance should also occur throughout childhood, with additional screenings performed whenever concerns are raised by parents, child health professionals, or others involved in the care of the child 1. If your child isn't meeting these milestones, it is crucial to discuss it with your pediatrician at their 30-month check-up, as early identification and intervention can significantly impact developmental outcomes.
From the Research
Developmental Milestones for a 30-Month-Old Child
The expected developmental milestones for a 30-month-old child can be assessed through various methods, including parental reports and clinical observations. Some key milestones to look out for include:
- Cognitive development: problem-solving skills, imitation, and object permanence 2
- Language development: vocabulary expansion, sentence formation, and communication skills 3, 4
- Motor development: gross motor skills such as running, jumping, and balance, as well as fine motor skills like drawing and using utensils 3, 2
- Social-emotional development: attachment, prosocial behaviors, and emotional regulation 4, 2
Assessment Tools and Methods
Developmental surveillance can be conducted using various tools and methods, including:
- Parent-report questionnaires, such as the Milestones form, which can be used to assess cognitive, language, and motor development 3
- Clinical observations and skilled assessments by healthcare professionals 5, 6
- Standardized screening instruments, such as the Survey of Well-being of Young Children (SWYC) 3
- Developmental checklists and normative data, which can be used to track a child's progress and identify potential delays 2
Importance of Early Detection and Intervention
Early detection of developmental delays or problems is crucial for providing timely interventions and optimizing a child's developmental trajectory. Healthcare professionals play a critical role in monitoring a child's development, detecting problems early, and providing guidance and support to families 5, 6, 2