Your 3 Year Old

Developmental Milestones*

• Builds tower (6–8 blocks).
• Imaginative play.
• Language is usually understandable.
• Stands on 1 foot.
• Names a friend.
• Throws ball overhand.
• Can wiggle thumbs.
• Walks upstairs alternating feet.
• Names objects, uses words to describe other words, can define words.
• Copies circle and/or vertical line.
• Knows if boy or girl.
• Draws person with 2 body parts.
• Knows colors.

 *All children develop differently.  If your 3-year-old hasn’t yet reached these milestones, rest assured that she will soon. If you have concerns about your child’s development, please schedule an appointment.

Feeding

Remember that nutrition is a very important component of your child’s health.  Healthy snacks are important.  It is still normal if your toddler is a picky eater.  Hopefully, this will improve soon.  Continue to offer new and exciting choices and encourage your child to try something new.  

Encourage about 16-18 ounces of 1 or 2% milk.  We do not recommend juice regularly through out the day.  Encourage water whenever possible.  Calcium fortified orange juice can be beneficial if your baby does not like milk.  Cheese, yogurt, and ice cream are also helpful substitutes. 

Even though your child is become a competent eater, there’s still a chance he may choke on his food.  Continue to avoid common choking hazards like popcorn, grapes, hard candy, whole nuts, chewing gum and hot dogs.  Cut foods into small pieces and discourage your child from doing anything that might distract him from his meal. 

Please continue to administer a multi-vitamin with fluoride daily.  At age 3, you child’s dose increases.  Please make sure you obtain an updated prescription.   

Toilet Training

There’s no magic age at which children are ready to give up their diapers.  Most children will be developmentally ready between 2 and a half to 3 years old.  Some may be ready as early as 18 months while others are not interested in potty training until they’re closer to 3, or even 4.

Keep in mind that starting before your child is truly ready does not mean you’ll finish sooner — it’s more likely that the process will just end up taking longer.   We cannot stress this enough.  This is one of those things that just cannot be rushed.  Children who struggle with constipation fare much better if they train a little on the later end.  If toilet training is not going well, do not hesitate to stop and try again in a few weeks.  
 
Use the checklist below to measure your toddler’s progress toward readiness:

• Urinates a fair amount at one time.
• Has “dry” periods of at least three or four hours
• Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
• Shows interest in others’ bathroom habits
• Wants to wear “big boy/girl” underwear.
• Asks to use toilet or learn how.
• Gives a physical or verbal sign when he’s having or is about to have a bowel    movement.

Sleep

Most children require around 10-12 hours of sleep per night, although this is variable.   Most 3 year olds will not take regular naps.

Your child may remain in his or her crib for as long as it is safe.  Once they start to climb out, they are safer in a toddler bed.  Most 3 year olds will be able to sleep well in a bed.  Be sure to utilize safety gates at night to prevent them from falling down stairs. 

Bedwetting may persist even if successful training occurs during the daytime.  This is normal.  Reward dry nights but do not punish accidents.  Protect their mattress and allow children to have accidents; this helps them learn. You’re your child help with the clean up of accidents.  This teaches them responsibility.  Restrict fluids after dinnertime.  Wake them to use the bathroom before your retire.  Be sure to discontinue use of Pull-ups as soon as mostly dry nights are achieved.  Once children become dependent upon Pull-ups at night, it is very difficult to take them away.

Activity                        

• Don’t forget to brush your child’s teeth at least twice a day. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste may be used. If you notice any stains or discolorations on your baby’s teeth, please let us know. It is time for your child to have their first dental visit is they have not already. Please ask us if you need a pediatric dentist.
• A car seat is very important.  The car seat must be in the back of the car.  Most 3 year olds will be forward facing in convertible car seats or high back boosters with 5-point harnesses.  Please check your seat’s user manual to ensure your child is in the right seat according to his or her weight, age, and height.
• Avoid sun exposure since your child’s skin is delicate and more likely to burn. Sunscreen can safely be used and should be reapplied often.  
• Monitor your child at the pool or beach at all times.  Educate your children never to swim unsupervised.  It is never too early to start teaching them this.  Strongly consider purchasing a pool safety fence or cover for your home pool.  Lock all hot tub covers. 
• Insect repellent may be used.  Deet-free brands are preferable.  To be safe, only apply insect repellents to exposed skin. Do not apply it under clothing, on a child’s hands, near the mouth or eyes, or over cuts and irritated skin.  Wash off insect repellents once it is no longer needed. Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided, as sunscreen needs to be reapplied often.  Insect repellent should only be applied once per day.  
• Have this number handy (although we hope you never need it): POISON CONTROL 1-800-222-1222.

Vaccines

Your child may or may not receive immunizations during his/her 3-year visit.  Please visit the vaccine section of this website for more information on specific vaccines and their administration schedule. 

Please note that we will not administer vaccines to any child whose parent or guardian is not present for the visit.  This is our office policy.  We understand that parents have busy schedules but no exceptions to this rule will be made.

Medicines

Tylenol and Motrin can be safely given to your child for teething or fever.  You can safely use both medicines together as long as you adhere to their separate dosing schedules.  For most children, however, one or the other will be just fine.  Please ask for our dosing chart or follow the instructions on the bottle.  Let us know if you have any questions.  If you are using either medication regularly, please notify our office.  Please ask us before using administering any other medication to your child.