Between 2 and 4 years old, children change fast. The toddler who said “give me” now asks you “why?” ten times a day, wants to put on their own shoes and pretends to be a doctor or a teacher. With it come new questions from parents: “Is she talking enough?” “Why does he play on his own?” “Will my child be ready for school?”

This guide gives you a calm, simple picture of what most children do at around 30 months, 3 years and 4 years, and how everyday play helps. If you are looking for a place for your child at this age, our pre-schoolers programme page explains how we care for this age group. For the stage before, read about toddler milestones from 12 to 24 months.

Our lists come from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklists. The CDC describes milestones as things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age, so they show a typical picture rather than a deadline for every child.

Around 30 months: more words and the start of pretend play

According to the CDC checklist for 30 months, most children:

  • Play next to other children and sometimes play with them, and show you what they can do by saying “Look at me!”
  • Say about 50 words, and say two or more words together with one action word, like “Doggie run.”
  • Name things in a book when you point and ask “What is this?”, and say words like “I”, “me” or “we”.
  • Use things to pretend, like feeding a block to a doll as if it were food.
  • Follow two-step instructions, like “Put the toy down and close the door,” and show they know at least one colour.
  • Jump off the ground with both feet, turn book pages one at a time and take some clothes off by themselves.

How play helps: make tidy-up time a game you do together after play, and give two-step requests instead of one. Blocks, dolls and a toy kitchen are all you need for pretend play. You can see how this looks in a nursery day in your 2-year-old at nursery.

Around 3 years: questions, friends and a first circle

The CDC checklist for 3 years says most children:

  • Calm down within 10 minutes after you leave them, like at a nursery drop-off.
  • Notice other children and join them to play.
  • Talk with you in a conversation using at least two back-and-forth exchanges, and ask “who”, “what”, “where” or “why” questions.
  • Say their first name when asked, and talk well enough for others to understand most of the time.
  • Draw a circle when you show them how, and avoid touching hot objects when you warn them.
  • Put on some clothes by themselves, use a fork and string large beads onto a string.

How play helps: answer a “why?” with a question of your own: “What do you think?” Let your child dress themselves even when it takes longer. Beads and play dough build the hand strength children need before they hold a pencil. With the cooler weather, try our outdoor play ideas for little ones in Sharjah.

Around 4 years: sentences, friendships and doing it themselves

By 4 years, the CDC checklist says most children:

  • Pretend to be something else during play, like a teacher or a superhero, and ask to go and play with other children.
  • Comfort others who are hurt or sad, like hugging a crying friend, and like to be a “helper”.
  • Change their behaviour based on where they are, like a place of worship, a library or the playground.
  • Say sentences with four or more words, and say some words from a song, story or nursery rhyme.
  • Talk about at least one thing that happened during their day, and answer simple questions like “What is a coat for?”
  • Name a few colours, tell what comes next in a well-known story and draw a person with three or more body parts.
  • Catch a large ball most of the time, pour water with adult supervision, unbutton some buttons and hold a crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb.

How play helps: ask every day, “What was the best part of your day?” Let your child finish the bedtime story. Small jobs, like pouring water or handing out spoons, make children proud. If you are thinking about the next step, our school readiness page explains what comes after nursery.

How Balloon Nursery supports 2 to 4 year olds

  • We welcome children from 45 days old up to 4 years, so your child can keep growing with us, stage by stage.
  • We follow the British EYFS curriculum with hands-on, Montessori-style learning; our guide to EYFS vs Montessori explains the difference. Children hear Arabic and English every day.
  • We are open every day from 6:30am to 7:30pm, with early drop-off from 6:00am on request. A bus service is available.
  • We are licensed by SPEA (Sharjah Private Education Authority) and have been caring for children in Sharjah for over 20 years.

When to talk to your paediatrician

The CDC advises talking to your child’s doctor if your child is not meeting one or more milestones for their age, has lost skills they once had, or if you have any other concern, and asking about developmental screening. This guide is general information and does not replace medical advice.

Every child develops at their own pace.

Would you like to see our pre-school room? Book a visit or message us on WhatsApp at +971 50 342 8582.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words should a child say at 2 and a half?

According to the CDC, most children say about 50 words by 30 months and put two or more words together with an action word, like “Doggie run.” If you are worried about your child’s talking, speak to your paediatrician.

When do children start talking in full sentences?

The CDC says most children say sentences with four or more words by 4 years. At 3 years, most can keep a short back-and-forth conversation going and are understood by others most of the time.

What can most 4-year-olds do?

The CDC 4-year milestones include talking about their day, playing with other children, changing their behaviour to suit the place they are in and holding a crayon or pencil between fingers and thumb. Everyday play at home and at nursery builds these skills.

Until what age does Balloon Nursery take children?

Balloon Nursery welcomes children from 45 days old up to 4 years and is open every day from 6:30am to 7:30pm.