What to Expect During the Third Year of your Baby’s Life
By Gopi K.Patel MSE.d Special Educator
The time between the 3rd and 4th year is when we see the terrible two’s going away (hopefully…)!! This really is a fun time for the little ones as they are beginning to better express themselves through words. They start to form likes/dislikes for things. Three year olds are a lot of fun to be with as they begin to sound a lot like little person, and at times can be brutally honest (& always at the wrong times). At the same time they are so young and innocent in their own way.
Gopi's Milestone-Basics:
At this age children have acquired about 800 words. They are better able to follow 2 step directions. Children at this age are able to answer how-to questions and are beginning to recall past events. They are cooperatively able to play, and begin to share. Play at this age is a lot of fun to watch as they begin to pretend to use one object to represent another, and even can pretend to be another person. They recognize a variety of shapes, colors, letters and numbers. They can build objects from pictures. The most amazing thing to see this early on is that your 3 year old may be able to tell jokes!!!
Some of Gopi's Favorites:
- Sandwich Making Set – Kids can use their imagination, and this toy is easy to hold in their hands, and can include others in the play.
- Snails Pace Race – A great game for 3 year olds (and the family) to play. It’s a wonderful, non-competitive game to introduce 3 year olds to.
- Number Memory Game – A great interactive game to sharpen a 3 year olds , cognitive skills with great visual recognition of numbers.
- My Giant Floor Puzzle – First and foremost, these pieces are nice and big and easy to grab. This is so much fun as this puzzle taps into fine motor skills as well, and can keep the little ones busy for a while.
- Sugarplum Dollhouse – This beautifully made doll-house really sparks the imagination (and 3 years is a great age to introduce this toy). Kids are really learning to pretend and what a great way to act-out the home.
