A 3-Year-Old’s Guide to Mom: How to Help Me Grow, Play, and Learn

A 3-Year-Old’s Guide to Mom: How to Help Me Grow, Play, and Learn

Hi Mom! I’m three years old now, and I’m becoming more independent, curious, and creative every day. I’m excited to show you all the new things I can do, and with your help, I’ll keep learning and growing. Here’s what you can expect from me and how you can support my development during this fun and active time.

How Much Will I Grow?

I’m growing steadily, but my growth is slowing down a bit compared to when I was a toddler. Here’s what to expect:

• Weight Gain: I’ll gain about 4 to 6 pounds this year. I’m getting taller and slimmer, losing that rounded toddler tummy.
• Height: I’ll grow about 2 to 3 inches this year. My growth rate might be different from other kids, but that’s okay—as long as I’m following my own growth pattern, I’m doing great!

What Can I Do at This Age?

I’m becoming more coordinated and skilled, and I’m excited to try new things. Here’s what I might be up to:

• Running and Jumping: I can run and jump easily now. I love moving around and being active!
• Stair Climbing: I can walk up the stairs without needing help.
• Riding a Tricycle: I’m learning to ride a tricycle, which is so much fun!
• Handwashing: I’m getting good at washing and drying my hands all by myself.
• Drawing Skills: I can hold a crayon between my fingers and thumb, and I might be able to draw a circle.
• Catching a Ball: I can catch a large ball most of the time.
• Serving Food: I’m learning to serve myself food or pour a drink with your supervision.
• Buttoning: I can unbutton some buttons, which is a big step in dressing myself.
• Focus: I can concentrate on tasks for about 8 or 9 minutes.
• Teeth: I have all 20 of my baby teeth, and my vision is getting close to 20/20.
• Potty Training: I usually have good bladder and bowel control and can use the potty chair or toilet.
• Sleeping: I may sleep 11 to 13 hours a day, and I might still take a short afternoon nap.

What Can I Say?

I’m talking more clearly, and I love telling you about my day. Here’s how my speech is developing:

• Clear Speech: Most people can understand what I’m saying now.
• Sentence Building: I can speak in 2- or 3-word sentences and am working my way up to 4- or 5-word sentences.
• Rhymes and Lyrics: I might remember and repeat simple rhymes or lyrics.
• Polite Words: I’m learning to use words like “please” and “thank you.”
• Daily Recap: I can tell you about at least one thing that happened during my day.
• Colors: I’m starting to name a few colors.

What Do I Understand?

I’m getting better at understanding the world around me and how things work. Here’s what I’m learning:

• Size Differences: I understand differences in size, like big and little.
• Long Sentences: I can understand longer sentences and more complex instructions.
• Asking Questions: I might ask “why” a lot because I’m curious about everything!
• Drawing People: I might draw a person with three or more body parts.
• Storytelling: I know what comes next in a well-known story, and I love when you read to me.
• Name and Age: I can say my full name and age when asked.
• Fears: I might have fears of things like the dark, monsters under the bed, or the drain in the tub. These fears are normal, and I’ll outgrow them with your help.
• Problem Solving: I’m starting to solve simple problems, like figuring out how to reach something high.
• Memory: I can remember certain events, especially the ones that are important to me.
• Picture Identification: I can point to the correct picture when you ask me a question about it.

How Do I Interact with Others?

I’m learning how to be social and how to interact with others. Here’s what you might notice:

• Sharing: I’m starting to share my toys and other things with others.
• Playing with Friends: I like playing with other kids, and if no one is around, I might ask to play with someone.
• Taking Turns: I’m learning how to take turns, especially during games.
• Helping Out: I love being a “helper” and might ask to help with tasks around the house.
• Safety Awareness: I’m starting to understand what’s dangerous, like jumping from high places, and I try to stay safe.
• Fewer Tantrums: I might have fewer temper tantrums as I learn better ways to express my feelings.
• Showing Empathy: I’m starting to show feelings in ways that are socially acceptable, like comforting others who are hurt or sad.

How to Help Me Learn and Feel Secure

Your love, attention, and encouragement help me feel safe and confident as I explore the world. Here’s how you can support my growth and emotional security:

• Talk with Me: Spend time talking with me. I love telling you stories and hearing you talk about things too.
• Teach Me How Things Work: Show me how things work. I’m curious and eager to learn!
• Encourage Play with Others: Let me play with other kids. It helps me learn how to interact and share.
• Storytime: Read stories with me and ask me to name pictures or retell parts of the story. It helps me develop language skills.
• Let Me Dress Myself: Encourage me to dress myself, brush my teeth, and comb my hair. It’s great for building independence.
• Chores: Let me help with simple chores like picking up toys. I love feeling like I’m contributing!
• Pretend Play: Give me old clothes for dress-up and let me pretend to be different characters. It’s fun and boosts my creativity.
• Sing and Dance: Sing songs, nursery rhymes, and dance with me. It’s a fun way to bond and learn.
• Art and Drawing: Help me play with crayons and paper or chalk and a chalkboard. Show me how to draw circles, lines, and stick figures. We can talk about the different feelings shown in the faces we draw.
• Building Play: Let me build things out of blocks or boxes. It helps me learn about shapes and sizes.
• Safe Space for Tricycles: Provide a safe space where I can ride a tricycle. It’s great for my coordination and confidence.
• Listen to Music: Listen to children’s music together and dance along. It’s a fun way to enjoy time together.
• Practice Counting: Practice counting with me. We can count eggs in a carton, steps as we go up, or fingers and toes.
• Group Play: Give me opportunities to play games with other kids. It helps me learn social skills.
• Puzzles and Games: Work on puzzles with me. It’s fun and helps with problem-solving skills.
• Imaginative Play: Encourage me to use my imagination with dolls, toy cars, or cooking utensils. It’s important for my creativity.
• Hide and Seek: Play hide and seek or follow the leader. These games help me develop new skills.
• Creative Playtime: Let me use play dough or clay to make shapes and figures. It’s a fun way to express myself.
• Art Display: Show me that you’re proud of my artwork by displaying it at home. It boosts my confidence!
• Teach Colors: Help me learn colors by pointing them out during play and everyday activities.
• Ball Games: Play ball games with me, like tossing a ball into a box or rolling it down an incline. It’s great for my motor skills.
• Limit Screen Time: Keep screen time (TV, tablet, phone) to no more than 1 hour a day, and make sure there are no screens in my bedroom. I learn best through active play and interaction with you.

Thanks for being such an awesome mom! With your love, encouragement, and support, I’m becoming more independent, creative, and ready to take on new adventures as a 3-year-old. Let’s keep learning and having fun together!