Look up a child
Age atlas
Typical is a range. Use this as a map, not a verdict. Progress over weeks beats a date on a poster. Red flags live here so you can talk with families — they are not diagnoses.
Look up a child
Runners, jumpers, testers
2–3 years
Power and will arrive together. They want to do it themselves. Offer choices inside a predictable frame.
Evaluate this ageGross motor
- · Runs with more control
- · Jumps down or forward with two feet
- · Kicks a large ball
- · Throws overhand without much rotation
- · Pedals a tricycle or ride-on
Fine motor
- · Draws circles
- · Builds towers of 6+ cubes
- · Snips with scissors with help
- · Washes hands with a model
Balance
- · Stands on one foot 1–2 seconds
- · Walks on tiptoes for a few steps
Sensory
- · Seeks movement and rough-and-tumble
- · May have strong texture preferences
Social / play
- · Begins cooperative play in short bursts
- · Follows one-step directions in play
Play ideas
- · Jump the river (tape lines on the floor)
- · Roll a ball to knock down bottles
- · Animal parade: bear, crab, frog
- · Pillow mountain to climb and jump from (spot them)
- · Follow a scarf — run, freeze, twirl
Skill library for this age
Cues you can use tomorrow. One theme at a time.
Session dose
Duration. 15–20 minutes
Structure. Song warm-up, one skill in play, one game, goodbye ritual
Repeat the same game across days. Novelty is a spice, not the meal.
FITT
Frequency
Daily active play
Intensity
Moderate, stop-and-go
Time
15–20 min structured + free play
Type
Jumping, climbing, rolling, simple ball play
Red flags — talk, don’t diagnose
- Not running
- Unable to climb onto a low sofa or step
- Not kicking a ball
- Marked left-right asymmetry
- Avoids the floor and playground entirely