Zach will be 3 August 24th. He cannot stand, walk, run, talk, drink from a cup....etc.
By age 3
By this age, your child can run circles around you - and does exactly that when she isn't skipping, hopping, jumping, rolling, climbing or otherwise being her incredibly active self. You may wonder where she gets all that strength, considering that her arms and legs may have slimmed down to the point where they look almost scrawny. But developmentally, this is perfectly normal. This year will probably bring a gain of just four or five pounds and two or three inches for most children. Cognitively, however, your child will go through an enormous growth spurt this year. For the first time, she will be able to think in a symbolic way. A doll can now represent a person or a box can stand in for a house, and this opens the door to truly imaginative play. "Let's pretend" games are not only fun, but also developmentally necessary. They allow your child to try on a variety of identities, from Batman to bus driver. This helps her to develop a sense of self and work out fears, fantasies and aggressions. Playing house or superhero with other kids also sharpens social skills, especially much-needed cooperation.
Here are the key developmental milestones to watch for at this age. By the end of the year, your child may be able to:
Physical:
walk with an adult-like, heel-to-toe gait.
climb a ladder easily.
balance on one foot and hop.
play catch with lots of misses.
kick a big ball.
pedal a tricycle.
begin to grip crayon like an adult (thumb on one side, fingers on the other).
wash hands and brush teeth with help.
use a spoon and fork - with fewer spills.
butter bread - messily.
dress self with a little help.
attempt to give up naptime, though an after-lunch quiet period is still a good idea.
sleep 10 to 12 hours each night.
Emotional and Intellectual:
speak clearly.
use very simple adjectives, such as color names.
call a friend by name.
understand around 1000 words.
create four- to six-word sentences.
ask lots of questions.
sing parts of songs.
repeat simple rhymes.
enjoy being read stories (with no word changes, please!)
categorize - for example, puppies and kitties are animals, blocks and dolls are toys.
understand simple abstract concepts - for example, same and different, close and far.
understand time and sequence ("we'll go to the store after a snack").
count two or three objects.
draw a very simple person (missing details and some body parts).
use the toilet with help.
try to make you laugh.
enjoy helping you do simple tasks, such as watering plants.
with your help, begin to understand feelings ("you're excited because Grandpa is coming to visit").
begin to feel empathy for others.
learn to say please and thank-you.
concentrate on play for longer periods.
use imagination during play.
start to play with other children - but not necessarily share or cooperate.
put together simple puzzles.
correctly self-identify as a girl or boy.
explore the body in a non-sexual way, such as touching the genitals for comfort.
show independence by doing the opposite of what you've said to do.
throw a spectacular temper tantrum whenever tired and/or frustrated.
act ashamed when caught being naughty, such as by bursting into tears, hiding his or her face, or running to another room.
begin to understand and respond to a brief time-out.
