- Turns paper pages in books聽
- Imitates movements such as 鈥渇lying鈥 like a bird or 鈥渏umping鈥 like a frog聽
- Scribbles on paper, making circular scribbles and lines聽
- Crosses the center of the body with one hand when scribbling 鈥 until a child can do this, he will switch hands to scribble on the left or right side of the writing surface聽
Pre-Reading Milestones for 24 Months to 35 Months
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- Talks using phrases and short sentences of three or more words聽
- Understands many words, phrases and simple questions, such as, 鈥淲here is Mommy?鈥澛
- Recites phrases or stories from his favorite book聽
- Will 鈥渇ill in the blank鈥 when you leave off the last word or phrase of a familiar story or rhyme聽
- Corrects you if you read the story wrong 鈥 won鈥檛 let you skip any words or pages, or say the wrong word (you can make this into a game when reading with your child)聽
- Chooses to play and pretend with books by reading books on his own聽
- Likes to listen to stories with rhymes and word patterns that are repeated聽
- Keep building daily routines around books. Make the library a regular part of your routine.聽
- Bring audio books on outings away from home or download children鈥檚 books on your phone or tablet to listen to when waiting in lines or at doctors鈥 offices.聽
- Be willing to read the same book over and over to build your child鈥檚 vocabulary and memory.聽
- Ask your child questions about a story, such as what will happen next, how a character might feel or how the story relates to your child鈥檚 life.聽
- Talk with your child using new vocabulary, longer sentences and simple questions during conversation 鈥 鈥淗ow old are you?鈥 鈥淒o you have a doggie?鈥 鈥淕o get Daddy鈥檚 shoes in the kitchen.鈥澛
- Tape large pieces of unlined paper to a flat surface for drawing.聽
- Use the sidewalk or driveway for scribbling with chalk or paint with a paintbrush and bucket of water.聽
- Does not speak in sentences 鈥 continues to use single words instead of phrases (鈥渕ilk鈥 instead of 鈥渨ant milk鈥 or 鈥淚 want milk鈥)聽
- Does not have conversations 鈥 does not answer simple questions or make eye contact to keep a brief conversation going聽
- Seems to be 鈥渋n his own world鈥 鈥 does not interact socially much at all, stays to himself when others are around, does not point and talk to get another person鈥檚 shared attention聽
- Does not hold toys well with either hand 鈥 has trouble using fingers to grasp small objects, preferring to use the palm of the hand instead聽
- Has problems walking and running smoothly 鈥 looks very awkward or clumsy, gets feet tangled up more than other kids of the same age聽