3 Years

Summary

The 3 year developmental milestones refer to a set of abilities that most children can perform at 3 years of age. In terms of motor abilities, 3 year olds can pedal tricycles and draw circles. Socially, 3 years olds often communicate with 3-word sentences. This is also the period when potty training starts, as children begin to develop bowel and bladder control. Finally, 3 year olds begin to engage in associative play, and begin forming their gender identity.

Key Points

• 3 Years
  • Gross motor
    • Pedals tricycle
    • Jumps forward
    • Steps with alternating feet up and down stairs
  • Fine motor
    • Copies circle
    • Feeds self
  • Language
    • Sentences combining 3 words
      • Begins asking “Why?” questions
    • 200+ word vocabulary
  • Social/cognitive
    • Toilet Trained
      • Bowel control develops before bladder control
      • Daytime control develops before nighttime control
    • Gender identity
      • Identifies themselves as a boy or a girl, uses correct pronouns
    • Associative play
      • Children start interacting while playing, but aren’t usually working together
      • Example: kids riding tricycles together, paint on the same canvas but without a common goal
    • States own age