At what age should a toddler answer questions like "what did you do today?" (i.e., non-canned questions)?

My 12-year-olds answer that question by saying “nothing”.

It’s completely normal for a 2.5 year old not to answer open ended questions. Keep asking them questions:

Did you color today?
What did you color?
Did you use red?

There’s no set age for when a kid will tell you this stuff on their own. I take care of 6 year olds and I still have to ask leading questions most days after first grade. :)

Mine won’t even tell you how old he is. He thinks that’s too invasive of a question.

My kid has been able to have full conversations since about 2 years old. My friends daughter Is only a month younger than my son and she tries to speak but Its very hard to understand what she actually says because “Tori” comes out as “ooury”. All kids are different and learn at their own pace….once they really start talking though, you will regret ever encouraging it, lol.

Have you tried Baby Einstein videos?

Is there any particular reason to care about whether a toddler can answer a question about their age? Those are the kinds of questions that adults who have no idea how to relate to kids ask. Adults often can’t think of anything else to say to a kid, and they don’t think of interacting on a more physical (intuitive) basis. So adults ask the kid’s age. Yuck!

I’d be more concerned about what my child is engaged in, and what they like to do, than in how they can answer stupid questions. They will be able to do that far too soon. And they’ll get cynical about adults who ask such questions. If you support curiosity in your child, you’ll be happy with him or her, and be too busy to think about whether they can answer vapid questions.

@daloon GA.
And also, if you support curiosity in a child, really listen to what he/she has to share, and encourage more speech with appropriate questions, the child will feel comfortable and safe practicing language with you.

my near three old says to me when I ask him.. “what did you do today?” ... “I painted mummy… green and blue and red… and brown”..and I say..“and what else hunny?” ... “I kick ball over fence” ..and it’s beautiful xx

Every child is different. My 5 year old really didn’t start to speak coherently until he was 4, when one day his language use just exploded (both my kids are being raised as bilinguals).

My youngest is able to keep up with the conversations I have with my eldest, even though he’s two years younger.

I wouldn’t worry at two and a half years – your kid will be able to do what he’s able to to do when he’s ready to do it.