Three Years | Download to Print

Development
Physical: Nimble on feet. Rides a tricycle. Has all baby teeth. Can copy a circle. Can walk up stairs, alternating feet.
Social & Emotional: Increasingly curious. Has imaginary friends. Aware of being a boy or girl. Argues with forcefulness. Makes simple decisions. May have fears of bodily injury. Plays more agreeably. Able to share, wants to please. Delights in secrets and surprises. Friends are important.
Language: knows full name and age. Asks questions – especially “Why” questions. May repeat words. Counts to five. Loves to sing. Speech is understood by people outside the family.

Hygiene
A visit to the dentist should be scheduled after the third birthday or whenever all the baby teeth have come in. Talk with your child about the dentist and what can be expected at the visit. Your child should brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Parents should assist with one of these brushings. Discourage excess candy, sweets, and soda pops. Teach girls to wipe from front to back after toileting – this helps prevent urinary track infections.

Diet
Your child may not have a big appetite at this age. Encourage proper eating, but never force your child to eat. Food likes and dislikes are common. Between meal snacks are an important part of his/her diet. Provide nutritious snacks such as fresh fruit, graham crackers, peanut butter, cheese, cereal, or unsweetened juices. A balanced diet for a three year old should consist of foods from the four basic food groups, though your child may not eat from them all daily.

Discipline
Be positive. “Do” works better than “don’t.” be clear in your instructions. Always tell your child “why”, “because I say so” does not help your child learn from what you say. Keep “Don’t” rules to small, definite, safety rules; i.e. “Don’t cross the street.” If children hear “No” or “Don’t” on important issues, it is more likely to make an impact. When you are wrong admit it. Try to give your child responsibility for behavior within limits of age and stage of development.

Stimulation
Start teaching your child numbers, letters, colors, and shapes. Children love arts and crafts. Provide crayons, scissors, paints, and paper. Three year olds are messy, so supervision is advised. Take your child on excursions such as the zoo, parks, and playgrounds. There are great opportunities to release energy. Children of this age love story time, singing, make believe, and dancing to music. Plan regular time for your child to assist in simple, safe household tasks.

Toys
Crayons, clay, puzzles, sewing, cards, and paints are playthings that develop small muscles. Riding toys, puzzles, sand toys, books, balls, and music of all kinds are also fun now.

Health Maintenance
Tylenol or Motrin may be used. Call your Pediatrician for dosage.