At what age can a child typically follow a three-step command?

A child typically develops the ability to follow a three-step command around the age of 4 years. This skill demonstrates not only the child’s comprehension of language but also their cognitive development, as it requires them to process multiple instructions and execute them in a sequenced manner.

By age 3, children may be able to follow simple one or two-step commands, such as “pick up the toy” or “give me the ball.” However, as they approach age 4, their language skills become more advanced, allowing them to understand and act upon commands with more complexity. This ability to execute a three-step command—like “pick up the toy, put it on the shelf, and then wash your hands”—generally reflects a significant milestone in a child's cognitive and linguistic development.

As children grow older, their ability to process and follow instructions continues to improve; by age 5 and 6, they can handle even more complex tasks that require them to remember and chain multiple steps together, but the foundational skill of following three-step commands is achieved around the age of 4.