3+ Years

At this age, children are all about "Let's pretend." They’ll use their imagination to create worlds and learn more about their own. And the more they learn, the more they’ll ask “Why?” Children at this point are able to engage in cooperative play, keep a fantasy game or an activity going for a long time and see another person’s point of view.

You may expect your child at this age to:

• Understand the rules of games
• Understand other people’s feelings
• Dress themselves with some help
• Have more self-control, be better able to handle frustration and have more patience

Play Tips

Here are some tips to help you make fun time More Than Play.

• Act Like an Animal. Show your child how to hop like a bunny, slink like a snake or flap wings like a bird. Learn more about Gross Motor Skills>
• Play Ball. Play with all types and sizes of balls, but don't expect expert throwing or catching. Learn more about Hand-eye Coordination>
• Encourage Imagination. Use clothes for dress-up, or stuffed animals, action figures, dolls or a puppet stage made from a cardboard box to expand fantasy play. Learn more about Imagination>