3-min read
2025-08-26
4-min read
Development isn’t a race. It’s a flow.
Every child—and parent—is figuring it out at their own pace.
Instead of milestones, we encourage you to focus on this amazing moment.
Your child’s brain makes more than one million neural connections per second in these first three years. Simple, consistent interactions with them today can have profound, lifelong benefits.
Here’s how little one’s brain is developing this month, and how you can support their progress.
Developmental Highlight
Little one’s gained a simple concept of time and sequencing through activities you practiced together in months 27 and 29. Now they’re ready to go on a mission, should they choose to accept it. (They will!)
In this month’s activity, listening attention will be the superpower that fuels little one’s sense of purpose, independence, accomplishment, and pride. Building listening skills strengthens memory and attention skills that will be critical in school. You’ll find that little one’s improved listening makes daily routines easier, too.
Start with simple two-step missions and gradually build up to three-step missions. You can revisit month 29 to remind little one about beginning, middle, and end.
Brain-Building Activity
Mission Possible
Routine: Anytime
What makes a good two-step mission? Any two tasks little one can attempt safely on their own. This can be just for fun, help out around the house, or reinforce little one’s routines.
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Connect before you direct, just as you did in month 31. With little one in front of you, ask if they’re ready to go on a mission. Remind them to turn on their “listening ears.”
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Explain the two-step mission to little one, breaking it down into two distinct steps. “First, let’s see if you can find your shoes. Then bring your shoes back here and get your backpack.”
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Start the mission with “Ready, set, go!” to build excitement and a sense of fun.
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When little’s one finished, check their progress. If the mission’s accomplished, praise the process or effort, not the outcome. “Wow! You remembered both steps of your mission, and now your shoes and backpack are here.” If little one wasn’t successful, encourage them to try a do-over. (See month 25 for a refresher.)
You’ve Got This
As much as you love being with little one, it might sometimes feel isolating. Many parents lose touch with friends in these first few years. Little one and your partner, if you have one, are not the only important people in your life.
Take some time to complete your own two-step mission:
- Step 1: Find a moment alone.
- Step 2: Catch up with a friend over the phone. (No judgement if you text first to ask if it’s a good time to call!)
Connecting with others is a basic human need we often overlook. Shared stories are the building blocks of relationships. The quality of our relationships is the key to resilience.
