How 3 year old baby changes

[lovebaby]

For your lovely three year old buddy,


Gross motor development continues and your toddler may now alternate feet while coming down stairs, will jump off the lowest step, can jump in place and will learn the “standing broad jump” this year. Balancing on one foot progresses and tricycle pedaling becomes fast and furious. By the end of the year, he/she may hop on one foot. Hand and fine motor work allows up to ten block stacking by mid-year and bridge construction as well as copying a full circle shape. During this year, he/she may learn to draw a simple stick figure and make a right angle cross.

Feeding neatness progresses through the year and meal times may relax a little. Doors can now be nimbly opened and shut. With supervision, the dressing process is just about mastered by the end of the year but distraction may prevent full dressing. Shoes can be put on (use Velcro) and some easy buttons can be fastened. Try to allow extra time for these activities so toddlers don’t get mired down in frustration. Your child will become good at washing and drying hands and more proficient at tooth brushing.

Many more adjective and adverb concepts are understood during this year, as well as prepositions (on, under, through). Simple number understanding becomes possible and mastery of the use of simple day to day objects is achieved (balls, keys, writing utensils).

Color recognition begins and progresses, and opposite concepts are understood. First and last names are fully known by the end of the year in almost all children.

He/she becomes good with plurals and past tenses and stories recalling some of the activities of the day are common. The “why’s” continue, vocabulary tops over 1000 words (in most) by the end of the year. Sentences go from three words at age three to several more by age four. About 60-75% of speech is intelligible to parents (50% to strangers), this improves to nearly 90% by the end of the year. The child should know his/her gender by now. Early counting begins.

Cognitive and social maturation allow improved separation skills (if mom allows), gender role play, improved ability for interactive play, and continued sophistication in understanding the world around her/him. Although tantrum behavior from limited abilities should subside by now, ritualistic and fearful behavior can blossom. Self-consoling behaviors may flare in response to toddler fears about bodies, the dark, sleep, animals, abandonment, and sibling rivalry. Acknowledge these behaviors, set acceptable limits and continually reinforce to your child your unconditional love. Set special times alone with your toddler and listen. Also evaluate for any other family stresses that may contribute to and accentuate some of these normal toddler fears. One important family skill that should begin expression during this year is the imagination of how his/her behavior might impact on and affect others. This capacity to think of and feel for someone else needs to be nurtured and cultivated as a key for successful integration into a civilized and kind society. There are too many examples of failure in this respect (as seen in the newspapers every day).

By this time, out of home daycare or play groups will be a part of many toddlers’ lives. Informal inviting of neighborhood friends is just as good provided someone is laying out some structure and providing balanced, safe, challenging and imaginative toys and activity areas. Although peer play increases, your child needs and wants undivided time from you. You have learned by now that imaginative, unhurried time with your child can be therapeutic for you as well.

Physical games should be mixed with thinking ones (children love when you make up stories they participate in). Read a lot with your child, don’t be too “results oriented” in skill games. Allow some choices, encourage turn taking and manners in play, as well as sharing. Incorporate pickup time in usual play hours. As always, limit and supervise TV, video game, computer and video exposures. Block, puzzle, clay, sand, water, bead and building play are enjoyed. At times, children may become “hyper” or overdone. Calming activities, music or rocking times may help.

Express pleasure in your child and time spent together, give liberal praise, be flexible and encouraging and avoid perfectionism and unreasonable demands. Try to avoid passing on your anxieties, unhappy childhood experiences, and bad memories. Try to avoid overindulgence and over-protectiveness. Your child will reward you with love, closeness, healthy dependency and growth that pleases.

Nutritional concerns do not change too much – you know what foods your child will and won’t accept. Pickiness continues. Try to keep introducing new foods, keep balance in mind. Meal sizes increase slightly so snack frequency should decrease, and should only be in healthy food categories. Avoid too much fast food and nutritionally poor beverages. No juice, soda pop or other sugared beverages are recommended, and a drop to 1-2% milk is fine. Involve the child in more meal preparation including shopping (if they are self-controlled in stores), putting away groceries, opening and measuring items, mixing ingredients, kneading dough, pouring cereal and milk, making sandwiches and salads with you, and doing some early cleanup activities. Be patient with this and don’t worry about messes. Supervise carefully and safely. Food for travel may include a cooler with raw veggies, cheese, crackers, yogurt, sandwich items, flavored water/milk as well as appropriate utensils. Try to set a good dietary example (don’t walk down the junk food aisle in the grocery store).

Continue nutrition education, brushing and flossing, creativity, quieting before meals. Entertain and allow visitors in order to encourage hospitality. Keep utensils age appropriate. Sweets can be used as rewards but try not to bribe too much. Teach your child that he/she is eating for themselves and not for you!

Some children continue a short daily nap. Keep bedtime and rituals regular and consistent. Night fears or terrors may surface again—keep the child in his/her own bed as much as possible, reassure and explore perceived dangers to a reasonable extent. Provide night lights or easy to use flashlight for “shadow checking”. Your child should be out of the crib in a “big girl” or “big boy” bed by now.



[Article from David L. Ragonesi, M.D.]