The Third Year
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care – NNCC. Powell, J. and Smith, C.A. (1994). The 3rd year. In *Developmental milestones: A guide for parents*. Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service.
By 3 years of age does the child:
Motor Skills
- feed himself (with some spilling)
- open doors
- hold a glass in one hand
- hold a crayon well
- wash and dry hands by himself
- fold paper, if shown how
- build a tower of 54 blocks
- throw a ball overhead
- try to catch a large ball
- put on shoes (but not tie laces)
- dress herself with help
- use the toilet with some help
- walk up steps, alternating feet
- walk on tiptoes if shown how
- walk in a straight line
- kick a ball forward
- jump with both feet
- pedal a tricycle
Sensory and Thinking Skills
- recognize sounds in the environment
- pay attention for about 3 minutes
- remember what happened yesterday
- know what is food and what is not food
- know some numbers (but not always in the right order)
- know where things usually belong
- understand what “1″ is
- understand “now,” “soon,” and “later”
- substitute one object for another in pretend play (as in pretending a block is a “car”)
- laugh at silly ideas (like “milking” a dog)
- look through a book alone
- match circles and squares
- match an object to a picture of that object
- match objects that have same function (as in putting a cup and plate together)
- count 2 to 3 objects
- avoid some dangers, like a hot stove or a moving car
- follow simple one-step commands
Language and Social Skills
- use 3-5 word sentences
- ask short questions
- use plurals (“dogs,” “cars,” “hats”)
- name at least 10 familiar objects
- repeat simple rhymes
- name at least one color correctly
- imitate housework or help with simple tasks
- ask to use the toilet almost every time
- enjoy being read to
- talk about feelings and mental states (e.g., remembering)
- demonstrate some shame when caught in a wrongdoing
- try to make others laugh
- play spontaneously with two or three children in a group
- assign roles in pretend social play (“You be mommy;” “I be daddy”)
- know her first and last name
- understand “I,” “you,” “he,” and “she”
- believe everything centers around him (“if I hide my eyes, no one will see me”)
- answer whether she is a boy or girl