The three-year-old is at a fun age. Children of this age are inquisitive about their world. They are constantly asking "why?" as they try to make sense of new information. Unfortunately, many of their questions are unanswerable:

"Why is the sun yellow?"

"If I were a bug, how long would it take me to walk a mile?"

"How many stars are there in the sky?"

Three-year-olds are just beginning to understand the concept of sharing and still may struggle with this. They do not understand rules of games and will most frequently make up their own. They begin to play with others their age and yet, continue to rely on caregivers to get a great deal of their needs met.

You might be concerned about your child's development if your child does not:

• Have intelligible speech most of the time.
• Understand and follow simple commands and directions.
• Give own name.
• Enjoy playing near other children.
• Use 3-4 word sentences.
• Ask questions.
• Stay with an activity for 5-10 minutes.
• Jump in place without falling.
• Balance on one foot.
• Help with dressing self.
• Walk up stairs holding railing.
• Unbutton large buttons.
• Stand for a moment on one foot.
• Talk of toilet needs.
• Open doors.
• Stack objects by size.                                           

Adapted from: Allen, K. E. & Marotz, I. (1989). Developmental profiles: Birth to six. Delmar Publishers Inc.

 About the Author: Dr. Catherine Swanson Cain, PhD, LMFT provides counseling and therapy to families of young children with behavior problems or mental health disabilities. She also provides consultation and training to educators, child care providers, and professionals on a variety of behavioral health issues.