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What's Happening at 3

Your child grows by leaps and bounds this year — among many others, large-motor skills are developing quickly.
By Marian Edelman Borden

Remember: Every child develops at her own pace. These guidelines are general. There is a broad range of what is considered "normal." It's not unusual for a child to be advanced in one area, lag slightly in another. Check with your doctor if you have any concerns.

What a delightful age! They are becoming social animals — interested in playing with other children, beginning to share and take turns. They are learning to separate from you. Small-group activities are more effective than large-group activities. The preschool curriculum should focus on language, activity, and movement. Large-motor skills are developing quickly: threes need to ride wheel toys, climb, jump, run, kick a ball. For any activity, the process is more important than the finished product.

    Language

    They are learning about:
  • writing their own name (may be able to write first letter)
  • pretend writing (scribble)
  • sitting and listening to a book in a group
  • speaking to a group
  • looking at books
  • playing rhyming games and songs
  • new vocabulary
  • telling a story to accompany their artwork
  • drawing stick figures (may not have anatomical details, such as fingers)

    Physical

  • large-motor skills. They can run, jump, climb, ride a tricycle, walk up stairs with one foot on each step.
  • small-motor skills. They can use a brush, crayon, marker, (preferably with a fat shaft); string beads; build with large Legos; unzip; draw a circle.

    Intellectual

    They are learning about:
  • colors, shapes
  • things that are alike and those that are different
  • spatial relationships: over/under; near/far
  • the world around them: seasons, weather, animals, plants
  • counting from 1 to 10

    Social/Emotional

    They are learning about:
  • separating from home
  • making a transition to a new setting
  • themselves, their families, other families
  • the classroom as a community
  • interacting with new adults
  • following classroom routines (e.g., snack time, cleanup)
  • identifying body parts, feelings (happy, sad, angry), and needs ("I want to paint"; "I want more juice")
  • self-control ("use your words, not your hands") — although they may still have problems remembering the rules)
  • self-help skills (putting on coat, washing hands)
  • following one-step directions ("put a napkin at each chair")
  • sharing and cooperating (although don't expect them to give up favorite items or always wait patiently)
 
 
 
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