Asking questions: how the skill grows from 18 to 36 months
Asking questions means asking "what?", "where?", "who?" and "why?" to find things out. Questions show curiosity and give a child a way to steer the conversation. Asking "who", "what", "where" or "why" questions is a CDC 36-month milestone. Earlier questions often use a rising voice on one word ("Daddy?") or "What's that?" Below: 5 ladder steps and 4 activities that practise it.
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Asking questions: the ladder, step by step
Pick the step that looks most like your child today. The next step and activities that practise it appear below.
No step picked yet. There is no wrong answer: pick the closest one.
Next step: "What's that?". Points and asks "Dat?" or "What's that?"
Activities that fit this step
- Mystery Tote Bag Guess · 26–36 months · 5–10 min
- Knock-Knock Box House · 27–36 months · 5–15 min
- Bedtime Day Recap · 28–36 months · 3–8 min
Next step: "Where?". Asks "Where Daddy?" when someone is missing.
Activities that fit this step
- Mystery Tote Bag Guess · 26–36 months · 5–10 min
- Knock-Knock Box House · 27–36 months · 5–15 min
- Bedtime Day Recap · 28–36 months · 3–8 min
Next step: "Who?" and "why?". Asks "Who's that?" or "Why?" about what they see.
Activities that fit this step
- Knock-Knock Box House · 27–36 months · 5–15 min
- Bedtime Day Recap · 28–36 months · 3–8 min
- Toy Car Trip Story · 30–36 months · 10–20 min
Next step: Follow-up questions. Asks another question after hearing your answer.
Activities that fit this step
- Knock-Knock Box House · 27–36 months · 5–15 min
- Bedtime Day Recap · 28–36 months · 3–8 min
- Toy Car Trip Story · 30–36 months · 10–20 min
Top of the ladder (follow-up questions). Keep it flexible: offer it in a new place, with a different person or with new materials.
Activities that fit this step
- Knock-Knock Box House · 27–36 months · 5–15 min
- Bedtime Day Recap · 28–36 months · 3–8 min
- Toy Car Trip Story · 30–36 months · 10–20 min
The asking questions ladder
5 steps from the first sign to a flexible skill, covered here from 18 to 36 months. Children move at their own pace: use the steps to see what comes next, not as deadlines.
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Rising voice
Says "Ball?" with a rising tone when looking for it.
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"What's that?"
Points and asks "Dat?" or "What's that?"
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"Where?"
Asks "Where Daddy?" when someone is missing.
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"Who?" and "why?"
Asks "Who's that?" or "Why?" about what they see.
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Follow-up questions
Asks another question after hearing your answer.
When asking questions usually shows up
This page follows asking questions from 18 to 36 months, a window that spans the 18-month, 24-month, 30-month and 36-month CDC checklists.
In the library, 4 activities practise asking questions (1 as their main skill), for ages 26 to 36 months. One of them needs no prep and takes 10 minutes or less. By age, all of them sit closest to step 4 of 5, "Who?" and "why?".
Related items appear on the CDC checklists for 36 months.
Related milestones
CDC checklist items (paraphrased) that involve asking questions. Checklists are for monitoring, not a test.
| Checklist | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 36 months | Asks "who", "what", "where" or "why" questions, such as asking where a parent is. |
Activities that practise asking questions
Placed on the closest ladder step by age. By primary domain: 4 language. Quickest to start: Bedtime Day Recap (3–8 minutes).
Skills practised alongside
The activities for asking questions most often also work on conversation turns (4), naming things (1), pretend sequences (1), simple pretend play (1) and two-word phrases (1). Pairing them keeps practice playful: one activity, several skills.
Practise it inside everyday routines
- Answer simply, even the same question many times.
- Wonder aloud: "I wonder where the cat went?"
- Hide things for your child to ask about: "Where's teddy?"
What to avoid
- Brushing off repeated questions; a short answer keeps them asking.
When to mention it to the pediatrician
If by 3 your child does not ask any questions, or does not use phrases to talk with you, mention it to the pediatrician.
Worried about asking questions between visits? Call the pediatrician; CDC's free resources also explain how to contact your local Early Intervention program directly. Milestones are for monitoring, not diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When do toddlers start asking questions?
Asking "who", "what", "where" or "why" questions is a CDC 36-month milestone. Earlier questions often use a rising voice on one word ("Daddy?") or "What's that?" The first step to look for: says "Ball?" with a rising tone when looking for it.
How can I help my toddler with asking questions?
Answer simply, even the same question many times. Wonder aloud: "I wonder where the cat went?" A good first activity is Mystery Tote Bag Guess (26–36 months).
What should I avoid when practising asking questions?
Brushing off repeated questions; a short answer keeps them asking.
When should I mention asking questions to the pediatrician?
If by 3 your child does not ask any questions, or does not use phrases to talk with you, mention it to the pediatrician. You can also contact Early Intervention yourself.
Related
Monitoring, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about any concern. Our sources and method.