Three-year-olds are in an exciting stage of child development that marks the end of early childhood. At this stage, your child begins to demonstrate greater independence and self-awareness. From now on, many aspects of their character and abilities will begin to manifest more clearly, from the way they communicate to the way they interact with others.
Physical development in 3-year-old children
The physical growth of a 3-year-old child is very noticeable. Although they no longer grow at the accelerated pace of the first and second years, their body continues to undergo important changes. You will notice that your child begins to lose the 'baby fat' and gain more muscle. This is reflected in a slimmer and more defined body.
- Most 3-year-olds have grown 5-8 cm in the past year and gained 1,8-2,2 kg.
- Their legs are strong enough to hop on one leg, do squats, or jump like a frog.
- They already have most of their baby teeth.
More developed motor skills: At this age, children have strengthened their muscles, allowing them to perform activities that require greater coordination, such as running, jumping, climbing stairs independently, and pedaling a tricycle. Not only is this fun for them, but it also helps them develop gross motor skills that are key to their physical development.
Physical activity: Three-year-olds often have tireless energy. They love to move around by running, jumping, and climbing. For them, moving quickly is exciting. Tasks like kicking, throwing, and catching balls are perfect activities to improve their gross motor skills. They even enjoy games like building towers or fitting pieces together, strengthening both their gross and fine motor skills.
Fine motor development and coordination in 3 years
Fine motor development also makes great strides. As their coordination skills improve, children begin to perform more precise activities with their hands.
- By age 3, they are usually skilled at using blunt scissors, which allows them to cut out simple shapes.
- Another common skill at this age is the ability to copy circles and basic geometric shapes like squares.
- Many children can also use cutlery such as a fork and spoon independently.
- They are beginning to develop the ability to dress themselves, although they still need some help with buttons or zippers.
These small tasks, which seem simple, are fundamental for their autonomy. By allowing them to carry out these types of activities, you are also helping them to grow in confidence and improve their ability to concentrate. Daily practice of these skills also reinforces their ability to manipulate small objects, which is key to their fine motor development.
Cognitive development at 3 years old
Cognitive development in children of this age is a fascinating area. By age 3, your child has already learned the basics about the world around him and continues to actively explore it thanks to an insatiable curiosity.
- By this age, most children already understand the concept of “I” and begin to refer to themselves by their name, age, and sex.
- Symbolic thinking is also in full development, which allows them to begin to use their imagination to create stories or fictional worlds.
- They understand basic concepts such as quantity (two objects, for example), and can even classify objects by shape or color.
- They follow simple two- or three-step instructions, which strengthens their ability to understand and pay attention.
Symbolic play is essential for developing cognitive abilities. Three-year-olds often have a rich fantasy life, which allows them to imagine that their toys are alive or that they are in magical worlds.
Learning about time: At this age, they begin to develop an understanding of time. Not in a complex way, but they already understand terms like “yesterday,” “today,” and “tomorrow.” This helps them establish routines and anticipate what will happen next.
Language development in 3-year-old children
A 3-year-old's language takes an impressive leap. Around this age, children can have a vocabulary of 300 words or more, allowing them to articulate sentences and better communicate their emotions and ideas.
- They can form sentences of 4 or 5 words and use plurals correctly.
- They understand most of what they hear and ask constant questions to satisfy their curiosity.
- It is common that, although they make mistakes in some pronunciations, most adults understand them clearly.
- They begin to understand concepts like “same” and “different,” which helps them identify similar and opposite characteristics in the objects around them.
It is essential that during this stage you actively talk and listen to your child. Conversations about topics that interest them or experiences they have lived will help enrich their vocabulary. In addition, reading stories to them every day is an excellent way to stimulate their knowledge of language, expand their vocabulary and foster a love of reading.
Emotional and social development in the 3 years
At this stage, children begin to experience a wide range of emotions, from joy to anger, frustration and fear. The most interesting thing is that At 3 years old they already begin to name those emotions, which is the first step in learning to manage your feelings.
- Children often express fear or insecurities by saying things like “don’t look” or “don’t laugh.”
- By age 3, they also have the ability to spontaneously express affection, demonstrating increased emotional awareness.
- They understand ownership concepts like “mine” or “yours,” but may have difficulty sharing, which is completely normal at this age.
Three-year-olds also begin to separate more easily from their parents and love to play with their friends. Although they may still have difficulty sharing and taking turns, these social skills improve with practice. Organizing play dates with other children in small groups is highly recommended, allowing them to socialize without feeling overwhelmed by too many people.
Recommended activities to encourage learning in 3-year-old children
At this age, children are more than ready to participate in activities that help them develop both their physical and cognitive skills. Below are some ideas for activities that will encourage their learning and growth:
- Artistic activities: Painting, coloring, gluing and cutting out figures are not only fun activities, but they also help develop fine motor skills.
- Outdoor games: Building an obstacle course in the garden using elements such as tires and boxes will allow your child to develop their gross motor skills while having fun.
- Water games: Water activities, such as playing in the bathtub with floating toys, provide important sensory stimulation and promote creativity.
- Crafts: Allow your child to do crafts and practice using safety scissors. These types of activities also help develop their concentration.
The role of parents in the learning of the 3-year-old child
Parental involvement at this stage is essential. Your child needs to know that he can count on you not only to play with, but also to feel safe and emotionally supported. It is important that you gradually give him autonomy, allowing him to do simple tasks such as getting dressed or helping around the house. It is also key that you listen to him and take what he wants to say seriously, showing patience and avoiding overcorrecting his still immature language.
To help your child learn:
- Give him space to paint, color and glue, and places his creations in visible places like the refrigerator door.
- Play with him, talk about his interests and discusses the topics that he himself brings to the conversation.
- You can paste family photos and ask him about what is happening in each picture., helping him develop language and memory.
- Organize play days with other children, preferably in small groups so you don't feel overwhelmed.
By being accompanied by an environment where they are allowed to explore, express their emotions and learn autonomously, 3-year-old children will be able to grow with the confidence and security necessary to reach the next stages of their life successfully.
IS VERY INTERESTING