Unit of Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust
Three – Three-and-a-Half Years
Let’s Play
Parenting Tips!
- At three, children are emerging from their own little worlds and slowly graduate from parallel play to cooperative play.
- Sharing and reading books together inspires the love of reading in children.
- Around three years old, children begin developing pre-literacy skills that lay the groundwork for future academic readiness.
WHAT
Children may start to develop new fears, such as fear of the dark, dogs, or bugs, and may experience nightmares. They might also be afraid of new situations or people.
WHY
Increasing independence and less time with parents can lead to anxiety and fears.
HOW
Reassure your child when they are scared and explore their fears together. Many fears fade as children become more secure, so patience and understanding are key. Never belittle their fears or use fear or coercion to control children's behaviour.
WHAT
Three-year-olds can climb steps with alternate feet, walk in a straight line, sit cross-legged, and do simple exercises. They perform self-care tasks like undressing and brushing teeth with assistance. Some may begin to show hand dominance.
WHY
Improving gross motor and self-help skills boost children's sense of accomplishment and pride.
HOW
Encourage your child to practice self-help skills under supervision. Never force left-handed children to use their right hand, as it can affect brain functioning and cause delays.
WHAT
Children engage in cooperative play, sharing and playing with others in a loosely organized way. They may feel anger or jealousy towards new siblings.
WHY
At three, children start interacting with others but remain self-centred. They need time to learn social skills like sharing and taking turns by observing examples.
HOW
Create home play opportunities for your child to practice social skills, modelling them yourself. If you have a new baby, reassure your older child of their place by spending quality time with them and involving them in baby-related activities.
WHAT
Children begin reasoning and understanding the consequences of their actions. They grasp concepts like colour, shape, and size, and enjoy simple puzzles, problem-solving, and matching games.
WHY
Around three, children develop pre-literacy skills through sorting and matching, laying groundwork for future academic readiness. They learn by exploring similarities and differences in their environment.
HOW
Engage your child in simple games and activities like matching, sorting and counting to foster pre-literacy skills. Play with open-ended materials like blocks and beads to teach mathematical concepts and improve fine motor skills. Reading together helps them make inferences and learn book handling and visual tracking.
WHAT
Children form simple sentences and ask basic questions. They enjoy fantasy and stories, often requesting their favourites repeatedly.
WHY
Children thrive on attention from communication and learn through repetition.
HOW
Read and re-read favourite storybooks together to foster a love of reading and bonding. Use stories to teach simple values like kindness and safety. Encourage your child to talk and ask questions, providing honest answers at their level.
Health & Hygiene
- Oral Hygiene: Supervise tooth brushing twice a day until age eight. Schedule regular dental check-ups every six months.
- Hand Hygiene: Encourage frequent hand washing, especially after playing, outings, before meals, and after using the toilet.
- Toilet Training: Approach this phase calmly. Most children achieve daytime control by three to four years, but nighttime control may take longer, often until four to five years or older.
Nutrition
- Exploring Foods: Encourage your child to try new tastes and foods to prevent pickiness.
- Self-Feeding: Progress from finger foods to using a spoon and then a fork. Encourage proper chewing.
- Mealtime Behaviour: Be patient with messy eating; avoid scolding for spills. Focus on positive reinforcement.
- Healthy Choices: Limit junk foods and aerated drinks to promote healthy eating habits.
Safety
- Supervise Play: Always supervise your child during play, especially around potential hazards like stairs, sharp objects, and hot surfaces.
- Home Safety: Ensure your home is child-proofed by securing furniture, installing safety gates, and removing hazards.
- Teach Safety Habits: Encourage your child to stay close to you in public and to avoid talking to strangers.
- Emergency Preparedness: Have a plan in place for emergencies, such as knowing what to do in case of a fire or how to call for help.
Special Attention
Consult your doctor if, by three-and-a-half years, your child shows any of the following signs of possible developmental delay:- Does not perform self-help activities like eating, brushing teeth, using the bathroom, washing hands, or dressing with minimal guidance.
- Cannot focus on an activity for more than five minutes.
- Struggles to express themselves verbally or through gestures.
- Does not engage in activities like sorting, matching, and counting, using picture books, repeating stories, or solving simple puzzles.
- Avoids fantasy play or make believe.
- Show no interest in outdoor activities.
- Cannot identify body parts or understand gender differences.
- Does not follow rules or take turns during games.
- Has difficulty controlling emotions in structured situations.