Preschool Growth and Development
At this age your child is becoming more independent and you can expect him to dress himself and button clothes, brush his teeth with help, stack 9-10 blocks, draw circles and squares, use scissors, walk up steps by alternating his feet, jump from a step, hop, walk on his toes, pedal a tricycle, play with imaginary friends, have a very large vocabulary and use 3-4 word sentences and his speech should be 3/4 understandable. Over the next year his speech will become fully understandable.Your child may now begin to ask 'why' questions, tell stories, remember nursery rhymes, appreciate special events, and understand daily routines.
Your three year old will now begin to play cooperatively with other children in small groups, share his toys and develop friendships. Playtime may include structured games and fantasy activities.
Most toddlers take at least one nap (length of naps are usually very variable between different children, but naps are usually 1-1 1/2 hours long) during the day at this age and are able to sleep all night (for about 11 hours). If not, check to make sure that your toddler has a good bedtime routine and has developed the proper sleep associations.
Once your child is able to climb out of his crib (and you have already lowered the mattress and removed the bumper pads), it is time to move him into a toddler bed. If your child is three feet tall, you may want to move him to a toddler bed even if he isn't climbing out of his crib yet. The usual age for moving out of a crib is about eighteen months to two years.
For more information on your preschooler's growth and development:
- Temper Tantrums
- Sleep Advice
- Thumb Sucking vs. Pacifiers
- Developmental Delays and Early Childhood Intervention
- Toddlers, Naps and Sleep
- Moving to a Toddler Bed
- Temperament and a Shy Child
- Fears
- Stuttering
