Thrilling Threes

1
Thrilling Threes

• What to expect from 3 year olds

2
Three Year Olds

• They are in constant motion and getting better at
  it.
• They are curious about everything.
• Beginning to be able to problem solve (figure
  things out)
• though reasoning not always sound
• Beginning to play with other children.

3
Physical DevelopmentGross Motor Skills

• Can run around obstacles
• Walks upstairs one foot to a step
• Can jump from bottom step
• Kicks a large ball easily
• Can catch large ball with whole body
• Can stand or hop on one foot 3 times
• Loves to climb
• Especially on playground special climbing
  equipment
• 3-year old ballet http//www.youtube.com/watch?v
  eEmtD52XoyQ

4
Promoting DevelopmentGross Motor Skills

• Teach children to climb safely
• Musical and movement games
• Provide access to safe age appropriate
  playgrounds

5
Physical DevelopmentFine Motor Skills

• Builds tower of 9 cubes
• Copies circle and cross
• Copies letters
• Holds crayon with fingers, not fist
• Strings 4 beads with large needle
• Makes small balls and snakes with clay
• Can handle a fork

6
Promoting Development Fine Motor Skills

• Provide toys that let them thread and sew to
  develop hand-eye coordination
• Have fat crayons, paint, and paper available
  and a place to work
• Do craft coloring with them
• Provide play dough toys for making shapes
• Have cleaning-up be part of fun
• Display their artwork

7
Self Care Skills

• Can eat with fork spoon
• Can hold cup by handle with one hand
• Better at undressing, but wants to dress self.
• Pants, socks, shoes
• Give limited choices
• Provide dress-up box for fun practice.

8
Cognitive DevelopmentLanguage Skills

• Vocabulary up to 1000 words
• Easier to understand
• Asks questions constantly
• More complex grammar
• Creates 3-4 word sentences
• Past tense plurals
• Doesnt use irregular verbs correctly
• Knows first last name, and sex
• Can sing a song or recite a nursery rhyme.
• Can follow more complex directions
• Syds bike rap http//www.youtube.com/watch?vt01
  PPPXb3QE

9
Promoting DevelopmentLanguage Skills

• Expose them to conversations
• Builds vocabulary
• Teaches rules of language (grammar)
• Teaches turn taking
• Be patient listen to them expect errors
• Be very specific in directions
• Speak a little slower, proper and simple
  sentences.
• Read to 3 year olds
• Sing with them

10
Cognitive DevelopmentThinking Skills

• Understand concepts like grouping and matching
• Organize materials - stacking blocks or rings in
  order of size
• Identify parts of a whole, like a slice of pie
• Draw pictures tell you about them.
• Actively seek information through why and how
  questions
• Learn both by observing and listening to adults'
  explanations
• Tell you their full name and age
• Longer attention span
• Show awareness of past and present
• Interview w/3 year old http//www.youtube.com/watc
  h?voUBbMkSe__Q

11
Promoting DevelopmentThinking Skills

• Provide explanations when you ask them to do
  something
• Helps them think beyond their own needs
• Explain consequences
• Ask What if? and How does and Why do you?
  questions.
• Feed them well dont skimp on nutrition.

12
Social Emotional Development

• Settle down as they mature, can express
  themselves better, and are more coordinated
• Fewer temper tantrums
• More willing to follow directions

13
Social Development

• Share toys, taking turns with assistance
• Initiate or join in play with other children and
  make up games
• Imitates adults and others
• Begin dramatic play, acting out whole scenes
• More independent

14
Promoting DevelopmentSocial Skills

• Organize play groups
• Play turn taking games
• Board games
• Groups games
• Be patient, encouraging, and affectionate
• Helps them feel secure
• Encourage child to use words with friends
• Not hitting or biting

15
Emotional Development

• Mostly happy though unhappy mood usually easy
  to trace
• Not so easily frustrated fewer tantrums
• Independent satisfaction from I do it myself
• Easily absorbed in having fun
• Vivid imaginations
• Sometimes difficult to tell real from make
  believe for them.

16
Promoting DevelopmentEmotional Skills

• Use time-outs for cooling down time
• Praise child for accomplishments
• New task
• Self-expression or self-control
• Encourages desirable behavior
• Encourage them to use their words to express
  emotions
• Ask about their emotions
• Understand that sometimes their emotions are
  overwhelming for them.