EXPECTED MILESTONES BY AGE THREE
* expresses affection openly
* longer attention span--looking at books page by page.
* holds pencil or crayon and scribbles.
* pedals a tricycle.
* climbs up and down stairs using alternate feet.
* usually potty trained by age three, though "accidents" especially at night are still
common.
NEEDS
* non-fat or 1% milk--may eat less than a year ago, his growth is slower.
* a potty chair that is easily available to the child. Potty training is easier when the child
is ready and potty awareness comes first.
* praise for helping with housework, accomplishing a new task, making a pretty "picture".
* allow anger, frustration and tantrums--don't overreact. Carry on with your day and
talk to the child briefly when calming down.
* set limits and enforce limits.
* decide on what kind of discipline you'll use for what kind of infractions. If you use
spanking, make sure it's for only very serious and truly dangerous or destructive acts.
It's better to use isolation, time-out, verbal correction with brief explanation, positive
praise, etc.
TOYS AND ACTIVITIES
* matching pictures to objects the child sees.
* may pretend or imitate housework.
* may "draw".
LANGUAGE
* counts to three.
* uses pronouns well such as I, we, they and you.
* uses 4-5 word sentences.
* strangers understand most words.
* knows name, age and sex.
* every day read to your child.
* talk about experiences the child has and react to what he or she says.
* can learn from TV exposure--make sure it is a good program, not action comics.
SLEEP
* bedtime routine is important--bedtime story is good.
* be firm about time to go to bed.
* you may need to repeatedly put the child back to bed with kind reassurance.
* the majority of three year olds still take a nap.
SAFETY CHECK
*guard against kitchen burns, hot irons and warn against wood stoves and floor heaters especially when starting up in the fall.
* keep plug covers on all outlets. Keep cords out of sight and behind furniture as much as
possible.
* keep Ipecac, store poisons and household medicines securely out of reach or locked up.
* keep guns safely stored.
Ted Humphry, M.D.
822-2441
this information last updated 12/97