Your Three-Year-Old

Typical Behaviors of Three-Year-Olds

The three-year-old is typically a happy child, anxious to please and conforming easily. At this age of budding independence, many strands of previous development converge and a new self comes into focus. The three-year-old is more secure, emotionally calm, friendly, and giving than just a few months ago.

Motor Behaviors

• Delights in locomotion; moves more nimbly, coordinating total body more smoothly
• Walks with a new sense of destination
• Runs with more speed and control, turns sharp corners, makes sudden stops
• Is skillful at picking up small objects
• Likes to use crayons, markers, and manipulate small play materials
• May have established hand dominance

Language Behaviors

• Has greatly increased vocabulary and ability to use language
• Learns to listen and listens to learn
• Has give-and-take conversations with adults and other children
• Loves new, big, and different words

Personal-Social Behaviors

• Is developing a good sense of self and an increased awareness of what others like
• Likes to make friends; likes to share sometimes, but not always
• Understands taking turns but does not always like to follow the rules
• Is less rigid, inflexible, and domineering
• Can manage toilet training with some consistency

Learning Behaviors

• Is very interested in books with simple plots; shows an increased attention span
• Enjoys outdoor play, sliding, climbing, and digging
• Favors water play
• Plays much more imaginatively with dolls, blocks, and other toys
• Begins to build block structures and mold play-doh in recognizable forms

Typical Behaviors of Three-and-a-Half-Year-Olds

Three-and-a-half is often a turbulent and unsettled period in the life of the young child. Characterized by strong will and determination, the three-and-a-half-year-old is actually emotionally and physically insecure. Behavior at this stage is now noticeably different than it was at three years of age.

Motor Behaviors

• Seems less coordinated; falls frequently, and expresses fear of falling
• Stumbles and may exhibit hand tremors
• Approaches tasks with less assurance
• Grasps pencil awkwardly
• May shift handedness, sometimes unsure of which hand to use

Language Behaviors

• Tries to control others with language and is verbally demanding; may stammer
• Loves to play with language, whisper secrets, and make up new words
• Adores silly rhyming
• May or may not respond when spoken to
• Argues frequently with other children

Personal-Social Behaviors

• Ignores adult direction and requests; often refuses to obey
• Is anxious about change
• May have imaginary companions
• Cries, whines, and complains
• Is sensitive and easily upset
• Has a variety of tensional outlets like thumb sucking, nail biting, nose picking
• Finds friends extremely important

Learning Behaviors

• Prefers the simplicity of sand play
• Repeats actions over and over again, finding transitions difficult
• Plays appropriately with toys
• Hesitates with slides and stairs
• Has many different ways of expressing refusal and uses these means often
• Shows imagination, inventiveness, and a real capacity for play