Get to know the skills of a 3-year-old child!

The beginning of preschool is usually the time when we as parents see our child opening up to the world and needing to expand the initial close mother-child relationship, new acquaintances, and experiences. The change is not always smooth. Kindergarten life must be learned, adapted to, and accustomed to. The sense of security that develops here can be greatly supported by the personality of the kindergarten teachers, the calm attitude of the parents, and the accepting, gentle introduction.

When this is achieved, we will be happy to see that our child comes home from kindergarten with new experiences every day. He drew beautifully, learned a new rhyme, and made a friend. Playing with peers is not always typical in small group age, as this is when many children first come into contact with other children to whom they have to adapt. At first, they play separately, observe others, imitate them, and then various interactions develop from this.

A 3-year-old child already speaks about himself in the first person singular, using the word "I". He also asks for help from adults verbally.

At 3 years old, a child is able to share their toys with their peers

Offering and requesting objects appear, but we can also see a fight to obtain them. Kindergarten teaches the child new rules in a new environment, which they often accept more easily than in the home environment. This is why we can see that our child "lets off steam" when they arrive home, as they can feel more relaxed at home.

 The defiant period appears at the age of 2-3, but it can also be postponed a little later. It is impossible not to recognize the sudden hysterics and circuses. He does not want to get dressed, does not want to go home. If he is rejected, he throws himself on the ground, whether in a store or on the street. The parent's reactions can range from helplessness, anger, and rage, which can later lead to guilt. 

Why does hysteria appear?

It can occur at any age due to emotional pressure, but in the period of defiance, the assertion of the will itself, the steps towards independence are in the foreground, which then meet with the inability to solve the problem. This throws them off balance when, for example, the parent rejects them, or the child realizes that they are not able to do the given thing. They experience frustration, encounter limitations, and become furious. Hysteria can also be triggered by the accumulated tension throughout the day, which the parent's loving support can help to relieve.

The period of defiance, although difficult for both parties, is still necessary. The child does not intentionally want to upset his parents. Very good methods for properly treating tantrums are now available from professionals.

Source: Psychologist Orsolya Pethő, dac era courses

How is our 3-year-old's movement developing?

To better observe, let's separate the large movements and the fine movements!

We have reached a strong development of gross motor skills, and balance and coordination are becoming more and more stable. We cannot question this, since our toddler runs, spins, spins, jumps, and climbs all day long. Static balance is clearly observed when standing on one leg , and he can maintain this for 1-2 seconds. He can also demonstrate the same balance test while standing on tiptoe . 

Now you can climb stairs with alternating feet , without holding on. Balance bikes and pedal-powered vehicles are coming to the fore and are being used with great success.

Regarding fine motor skills, we can mention that the child's drawing skills are now much more sophisticated. He controls his hands, consciously trying to create shapes and familiar figures. To support this very important creative area for him, pencils, chalk, plasticine, finger paints, and children's scissors should always be available at home.

The ball is a very useful toy because it can be thrown, thrown at a target, caught, bounced, kicked, driven more slowly, and rolled. It provides an opportunity for both individual and group games. 

Right or left hand dominance begins to develop

Initially, the baby uses both sides equally. If at this age we see that his movement is limited to the right side, for example, we should consult a specialist! However, dominance develops at the latest by the age of 4-5. If this does not happen - the child uses one hand and the other at this age - then we are faced with the so-called mixed dominance , which can be developed with appropriate, targeted therapy. This is also important in order to avoid later learning disorders. Which hand does your child use more often?

It is important that the child does not need to be taught to use his or her right or left hand, this will develop naturally. 

Source: Csimboraszó Health Center

The thinking of a 3-year-old child is egocentric

Also known as egocentric. So, he can mainly see things from his own perspective. The explanation he gives for a certain phenomenon depends not only on the development of his thinking, but also on his interests. Every child is interested in different things, so let's accept that he doesn't know everything that his peers might, and let's be happy about the new things he always comes up with!

Why? Where? When? What kind?

We live in an age of questions, and it's no wonder, because people want to know everything and absorb information. It's important to give them understandable, simple answers. 

What other innovations can we expect to see in communication?

• Our child is now able to listen to a story for a very long time, 10-15 minutes.
• He understands more complex texts and communicates with multi-word sentences himself.
• Understands and can use suffixes and last names
• Active vocabulary – the one you use – 700-900 words
• Its pronunciation is generally well understood.

In the development of speech, we may occasionally experience small hiccups that are not considered stuttering. The simplest reason for this is that the child's thoughts are zigzagging quickly and he is not yet able to express them suddenly. Pronunciation errors are natural at this age. If the child does not reach the vocabulary explosion that is the active vocabulary mentioned above by the age of 3, then visit an early development center that specializes in speech initiation!

Desires for independence that have taken wing

The development of self-care follows an individual path for each child. This is greatly influenced by their interests, opportunities, and skills. They usually start taking steps around the daily routine, with imitation, but with unplanned thoughts. We can observe the efforts to become independent in the areas of hygiene, dressing, and eating. It is extremely constructive and supportive for them to experience the elementary feeling of success. Therefore, it is good to wait patiently until they do something, to give them space! 

How is independent eating developing? In addition to the spoon, using a fork is also interesting. He is skillful with cutlery and can also use a glass properly. 

Achieving room cleanliness, washing hands and blowing your nose independently is usually possible, undressing is easier, dressing is more difficult. We can help with this if our child wears clothes that he can easily handle himself. LiaaBébé's extra flexible baby and children's clothes made of bamboo fiber help 3-year-olds a lot to make dressing a success, not a hassle!

Source: Early Childhood Program