Your child is constantly learning and growing! Here are 5 new and exciting skills they'll gain this month.

At 34 months old, your toddler is showing even greater independence, confidence, and ability to follow simple rules. They remain curious about the world around them. Their language skills continue to grow as they can speak in longer sentences and more clearly express their needs and wants. Physically, they are more coordinated and can jump with both feet and handle small objects with greater fine motor skills. Your little one is learning to assert their independence, which can cause strong reactions in them, but also help with further developing their understanding of rules and routines.

The milestones this month fall into five areas: Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Cognitive Development, Social-Emotional Growth, and Communication development. Together, these skills help your toddler learn to move their bodies, think and ask questions, express themselves, and make sense of their surroundings.

Is your toddler better at understanding your rules?

At 34 months old, your toddler is beginning to better understand rules and expectations, although they may still push back sometimes. They can understand simple instructions such as "clean up your toys," especially when instructions are repeated regularly. They are also beginning to understand cause and effect so they may begin to recognize when consequences are coming, such as losing a toy or a time-out. With clear guidance and explanations, your toddler will gradually improve their rule-following and further develop a sense of self-control.

Why 34-month milestones matter

This month is especially important in developing your little one's sense of independence, as their problem-solving skills become more advanced. They will also be growing in their ability to follow rules, routines, and boundaries, which will help with their self-control. This time period sets the stage for preschool readiness, as 34-month olds are becoming better at structured activities and interacting with peers, as well as managing tasks more independently. Your little one is growing fast!

What are the 34-month milestones?

This month, Gross Motor development involves the ability to bring a chair to a table and sit down. They will be able to push an adult-sized chair to a table and climb onto it to sit down. Applaud them when you see them taking the initiative to do this! They are also now able to maintain balance when accidentally bumped. Most of the time they will not fall over when bumped. Show your excitement to them when you witness this!

Their Fine Motor skills continue to grow. They are now able to pull their pants down on their own. They will be able to do so without help most of the time. Validate them when you see them do so on their own, to help encourage their independence. If they're still struggling, maybe have them wear easier pants to take off, such as pants that are looser fitting before they work up to taking off less baggy pants.

In Cognitive development, they'll realize that they can do things on their own. This can include tasks such as brushing their teeth, feeding themselves, and washing their hands. As their independence increases, it's important to give them limited but plausible choices, such as "Do you want the red or blue shoes?" to still allow them choice, but also be in charge of that choice.

As for Social-Emotional growth, your child can now respect simple rules. Simple rules can include things such as "no running in the kitchen," or "please pick up your toys and put them back into your toy box." Although they have a greater level of independence and respect, it's important to give commands that are direct and specific so they're easier to follow. It can be helpful to break down tasks into multiple, simple steps.

In addition, they can now tolerate and stay calm during haircuts. To help them feel comfortable beforehand, allow them to watch a parent or family member get a haircut before them. During their haircut, consider letting them bring a stuffed animal or two to help them stay calm and feel more familiarized.

Communication development in this month includes your child's ability to use past tense by adding "d" sounds to verbs. This can include simple words such as "cooked" or "heated." Reinforce this behavior when you hear it, such as "That's right, mommy cooked the noodles."

Additionally, this month they will be able to recognize and name a friend. They may also introduce you to an imaginary friend. But don't be worried, this is normal at this age. You can help them strengthen this ability by repeating their friends name, by saying "Yes, that is Sara."

How many of 34 month's milestones has your little one mastered?

Your soon-to-be preschooler is growing fast! Being aware of the 34-month milestones helps you celebrate progress as it happens. It also helps you keep track of what your child should be working on. Each new skill helps in building confidence and personality. With a Basic Membership for just $2 per month, you can track all 812 milestones your child is expected to reach by age 4. Stay on top of your baby’s progress and celebrate every exciting new skill along the way!

Create a free account with Fledglings' Flight and get access to 4,820 screen-free, play-based exercises. That is 200-300 exercises each month that you can start doing with your baby from the day that they are born to help them develop into the best version of themselves. In addition, your free account gives you access to over 1,200 articles on child development to keep you informed while you help to navigate your child's developmental journey with confidence.

FAQs

What milestones should a 34-month-old toddler be reaching?

At 34 months, toddlers often show growth in gross motor skills, fine motor skills, cognitive development, social-emotional growth, and communication development. Common milestones include bringing a chair to a table and sitting down, maintaining balance when accidentally bumped, pulling down their pants on their own, realizing they can do things on their own, respecting simple rules, tolerating and staying calm during haircuts, using past tense by adding "d" sound to verbs, and recognizing and naming friends.

What are the gross motor milestones for a 34-month-old?

At 34 months, many toddlers are able to bring an adult-sized chair to a table and sit down and maintain their balance when accidentally bumped. Verbally praise your toddler when you notice them practicing these to help build their confidence and gross motor skills.

What are the fine motor milestones for a 34-month-old?

A 34-month-old toddler may begin being able to pull their pants down on their own. Encourage them to practice this by making it a play scenario or game to encourage them to try on their own.

What cognitive milestones are common at 34 months?

At 34 months, toddlers will be able to understand that they can do things on their own. When you notice this, praise them and encourage their independence. Set boundaries so they don't become too comfortable with taking control.

What are the social-emotional milestones for a 34-month-old?

Social-emotional milestones at 34 months often include the ability to respect simple rules and being able to tolerate and stay calm during haircuts. It's important to continue to set boundaries and rules, such as simple 2-3 step rules so they can follow along easily. Make sure to praise them when you notice them sitting still during a haircut, and maybe reward them after for good behavior.

How does a 34-month-old communicate?

At 34 months, many toddlers are able to use past tense by adding "d" sounds to verbs and can recognize and name a friend. Have them practice using past tense by making it a game, and praise them when you hear them using past tense in their sentences. Ask them to name their friends to you as practice, to grow their confidence in their communication skills.

How can I support my toddler’s 34-month milestones?

Parents can support 34-month milestones by encouraging independence and practice in daily routines. Letting your toddler practice bringing a chair to a table, practice pulling down their pants on their own, and recover from small bumps to help practice their balance. Let them bring stuffed animals or any other comfort objects with them to haircutting appointments to help make it feel like a safe and comfortable environment. Have them talk about their new friends to strengthen their skill of recognizing and naming friends.