Typical cognitive development at 2 to 3 years

2 to 3 year olds are interested in the names of objects and people and pick up new words daily, but despite, having around 200 to 250 words, their intellectual development limits their use of language. For example, they often can’t describe how they are feeling which can leave them very frustrated.

Similarly, they often use telegraphic speech, for example "Mummy - shop" which may mean lots of different things. It could mean "I want to go to the shop", "Mummy has gone to the shop" or "Mummy is in the shop right now". Concepts such as big and small and under and on are understood by the end of this year.

By 2½ years most children know their full name. They asks lots of questions, what or who questions become more common. They can often say some familiar songs or nursery rhymes. By now they use pronouns such as I, me and you in the proper context. They talk clearly to themselves whilst playing.