Health Information

Caring for Your 3-Year-Old

Language and Social Development: Books that tell longer stories, and counting and alphabet books are more fun to read together now. You can ask your child what happens next in their favorite stories or they can make up stories about the pictures. They may be able to recognize rhymes and point out similar sounds or even recite phrases from the books. They may pretend to read to their dolls or stuffed animals. Reading together even for short times every day can continue to have a wonderful influence on their interest in reading.

Having conversations with your 3-year-old is important for social and language development. Ask your child to tell you about the favorite part of his or her day.

At this age, games like I Spy engage your child in learning about colors and shapes. Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to promote hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Playing dress-up encourages imaginative thought.

For children ages 2 to 5 years: Limit screen time use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programs. Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.

Children benefit from interaction with same-age peers. Weekly play dates, play groups, classes and/or preschool can help your child master social skills.

If a new sibling is on the way, begin preparing your toddler for the baby’s arrival.

Three year olds love to ask questions about everything. Long serious answers are not important to them yet. Simple replies when you ask your child to do something and they ask why would be, “because it is good for you” or “so you don’t get hurt.”
Nutrition: At this age, low fat milk (skim or 1%) is appropriate for your child.

Limit (less than 4 ounces/day) or avoid juice. Even 100 percent fruit juice has too much sugar.

Fat is important to a well-balanced diet and critical for growth and brain development. Focus on replacing unhealthy fats (trans), with healthy fats.

Plan for regular family mealtimes. Provide healthy, kid-friendly options at every meal to minimize eating struggles.

Encourage your child to use a fork and spoon on his or her own.

Kids naturally eat less during periods of reduced growth. Don’t force your child to eat.
Elimination: By now, many children have either mastered using the toilet during the day or are ready to begin toilet training.
Active Play: Encourage physical activity through both structured, (gymnastics, swimming lessons, dance and movement to music classes) and unstructured play.

Your 3 year old is better able to go forward, backward, or up and down stairs. But not everything is easy and adult supervision is still necessary during active play.

Choose a playground with equipment that that is geared to your child’s age.

Steer clear of play surfaces that are concrete or asphalt. The best indoor play spaces have rubber mats or rubber like material. The safest outdoor spaces have wood chips, mulch, sand or pea gravel.
Routines and Discipline: Spanking and harsh words don’t work. The American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, “Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children,” highlights why it’s important to focus on teaching good behavior rather than punish bad. Beyond being ineffective, harsh physical and verbal punishments can also damage a child’s long-term physical and mental health.

Do not ignore behaviors like biting, hitting, kicking and throwing. Have a zero tolerance policy. Tell them the next time they are angry, they should use their words instead.

Calmly and firmly give consequences.

There is nothing wrong with distracting toddlers by changing their focus. Threats are over-rated.

Praise your child for good behavior. “Catch” them being good and provide specific praise.

Set reasonable and consistent limits. When using discipline, the priority is to teach and protect your child, not to punish.

Predictable routines help your child feel safe and in control. Try to be consistent with your toddler’s bed time and daily routine.
Oral Health: Clean your child’s teeth twice per day. Parents should apply a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush.

Your child should see the dentist every six months for routine checkups.
Safety: Always ensure your child is under supervision in the house, car, yard, and especially near driveways, streets and water.

Helmets should be worn when riding a bike, even with training wheels. You can start by using a tricycle that is low to the ground and has big wheels. This type is safer and is less likely to tip over.

Keep medications, cleaning products and other household chemicals in their original containers, in a secure area. Check your yard for dangerous plants. Teach them to never eat something they have found without asking you first. For poison emergencies and questions, call the National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep guns and ammunition stored in separate, securely locked areas.

Toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat, with 5 point harness, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. Most convertible seats have limits that will allow children to ride rear facing for 2 years or more. Children who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit for their convertible seat should use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible.

Resources

This document contains general parenting information based on American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations and is not meant to replace the expert advice of your pediatrician.