Child development (3 years old)

Every child grows and develops at an individual speed. In this article, you can find milestones kids generally achieving at 3 years old:

During the toddler years, children continue to need good nutrition and loving relationships with parents.

1. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT:
• Sleeping 12-13 hours per day
• Can walk up and down steps with one foot on each stair
• Runs and jumps with ease
• Catches a ball
• Can slide down a slide

2. LANGUAGE:
• Talks using 2-3 sentences at a time
• Has the words to name many things used daily
• Can be understood by family
• Understands terms like “in,” “on,” and “under”

3. SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL:
• Can put together a 3-4 part puzzle
• Can use toys that have moving parts like buttons and levers
• Can turn door knobs
• Can turn book pages
• Shows empathy for hurt or crying children
• Offers affection
• Understands “mine” and “yours”
• May get upset if routines are changed
• Can get dressed
• Knows how to take turns

General recommendation to parents with kids this age:
• Help your child problem solve when emotions are running high
• Supervise your child in outdoor playing places, such as parks and beaches
• Allow your child to have choices about how to interact with family members and strangers.
• Do not force children to share toys, meals, cloth
• Speak to your child in appropriate language. Don’t use bed words in front of them
• Be clear/fair with your expectations, explaining what behaviors you want from your child
• Practise with them simple chores at home
• Keep reading to your child daily