3-Year-Olds Physical development • weight: 25-44 pounds • height: 34-43 inches • develops a taller, thinner, adultlike appearance • develops a full set of baby teeth • sleeps 10-12 hours at night • sleeps through most nights without wetting the bed (occasional accidents are still quite common) • uses the toilet with some help (many boys may not be ready for toilet learning until age 31/2) • puts on shoes (but cannot tie laces) • dresses self with some help (buttons, snaps, zippers) • feeds self (with some spilling) • tries to catch a large ball • throws a ball overhead • kicks a ball forward • hops on 1 foot • walks short distance on tiptoe • climbs up and down a small slide by self • pedals a tricycle Ideas for Parents • Make brushing teeth a part of your child’s daily routine. • Be patient with toileting — accidents will still happen for a while. • Get easy-to-dress clothing. • Provide large buttons or old beads to string on a shoe lace. • Encourage sand and water play. • Show your child how to throw, catch, and kick a ball. • Show your child how to hop like a rabbit, tiptoe like a bird, waddle like a duck, slither like a snake, and run like a deer. • Talk frequently, use short sentences, ask questions, and listen. • Add new information to your child’s sentences. “Yes, that’s a fl ower— it’s a tall, red fl ower and it smells so good.” • Teach your child to memorize his or her fi rst and last name. • Ask your child to tell you a story during your reading time. • Sing simple songs with your child. • Look at baby pictures together and talk about “When you were a baby.” • Talk about colors, numbers, and shapes in your everyday conversation. “We need ONE egg. That’s a RED car. The butter is in this SQUARE box.” • Ask for help with simple tasks such as putting the napkins by each plate, socks in the drawer, or stirring the muffi n batter. • repeats words and sounds • enjoys listening to stories and repeating simple rhymes • able to tell simple stories from pictures or books • enjoys singing and can carry a simple tune • understands “now,” “soon,” and “later” • asks who, what, where, and why questions • stacks 5-7 blocks • enjoys playing with clay or play dough (pounds, rolls, and squeezes it) • puts together a 6-piece puzzle • draws a circle and square • recognizes everyday sounds • matches object and picture • identifi es common colors • can count 2-3 objects Social and emotional development • accepts suggestions and follows simple directions • sometimes shows preference for one parent • enjoys helping with simple household tasks • can make simple choices between two things • enjoys making others laugh and being silly • enjoys playing alone, but near other children • spends a great deal of time watching and observing • enjoys playing with other children briefl y, but still does not cooperate or share well • enjoys hearing stories about self, playing “house,” imitating • can answer the question, “are you a boy or a girl?” Mental and language development 75-80 percent of speech is understandable; talks in complete sentences of 3-5 words. “Mommy is drinking juice.” “There’s a big dog.” 3-Year-Olds • stumbles over words sometimes — usually not a sign of stuttering • listens attentively to short stories; likes familiar stories told without any changes in words