3 Years
Here's what's happening at this age - milestones, common concerns, nutrition, sleep, and vaccines.
Developmental Milestones
Based on the 36 Months (3 Years) checkpoint
Gross Motor
- Runs Well - Your child runs smoothly with good coordination and can stop and change direction.
- Pedals a Tricycle - Your child can pedal a tricycle or similar ride-on toy.
- Climbs Stairs Alternating Feet - Your child walks up stairs using one foot per step, like an adult, instead of both feet on each step.
Fine Motor
- Uses Scissors (with Supervision) - Your child can hold child-safe scissors and make snips in paper.
- Draws a Simple Person - Your child draws a person with at least a head and one or two other body parts.
- Copies a Circle - Your child can look at a circle you drew and draw one that looks similar.
Language
- Speaks in Sentences - Your child speaks in sentences of 3-5 words and can carry on a simple conversation.
- Asks "Why?" and "What?" - Your child asks "why?" and "what?" questions constantly. Welcome to the "why" phase.
- Says First Name - Your child can tell someone their first name when asked.
Social & Emotional
- Takes Turns - Your child is beginning to take turns in games and activities, though they still need reminders.
- Shows Affection for Friends - Your child shows affection for friends without being told to.
- Separates from Caregivers More Easily - Your child can separate from you at daycare or preschool without extreme distress.
Cognitive
- Understands "Why" Concepts - Your child is beginning to understand simple cause-and-effect explanations.
- Completes Simple Puzzles - Your child can complete puzzles with 3-4 pieces.
- Understands Counting to 3 - Your child can count to 3 and actually understand what the numbers mean.
Red Flags to Watch For
- !Falls down a lot or has trouble with stairs
- !Drools or has very unclear speech
- !Cannot work simple toys (shape sorters, simple puzzles, turning handles)
Common Concerns at This Age
Things parents often wonder about around 3 years
My Baby's Belly Looks Swollen
A rounded, slightly protruding belly is completely normal in babies and toddlers due to immature abdominal muscles and t...
Accent vs Speech Disorder in Bilingual Toddlers
When toddlers grow up hearing more than one language, they naturally blend sounds, patterns, and accents from both langu...
My Toddler Is Aggressive Toward Pets
Toddlers being rough with pets is extremely common and almost never reflects true aggression or cruelty. Young children ...
When to Introduce Allergens to Baby
Current guidelines recommend introducing common allergens (peanut, egg, cow's milk products, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish...
I'm Worried About Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)
Amblyopia (lazy eye) is the most common cause of vision loss in children, affecting about 2-3% of kids. It occurs when o...
My Baby Has an Anal Fissure (Blood When Pooping)
A small streak of bright red blood on the surface of your baby's stool or on the diaper is most commonly caused by an an...
Anaphylaxis Signs in Baby
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that affects multiple body systems. In babies, i...
Baby Had an Allergic Reaction to Medicine
Drug allergies in children are less common than many parents think - most "reactions" to medication are actually viral r...
Food Readiness
Foods appropriate for 3 years
Banana
Sliced or whole
Avocado
Sliced, cubed, or as guacamole
Sweet Potato
Cubed, mashed, or as fries
Apple
Thin raw slices or cooked
Peas
Whole cooked peas
Oatmeal
Regular oatmeal
Chicken
Small pieces or strips
Salmon
Flaked or as salmon cakes
Allergen: fishYogurt
Any preparation
Allergen: milkEgg
Any well-cooked preparation
Allergen: eggBroccoli
Steamed, roasted, or raw (if tender)
Rice
Any preparation
Peanut Butter
Thin layer on bread or mixed into food
Allergen: peanutTofu
Any preparation
Allergen: soyStrawberry
Halved or whole (for larger berries)
Carrot
Cooked pieces, grated raw
Sleep Needs
2-3 years
11-13 hours
Total sleep per day
10-12 hours
Nighttime sleep
0-1 nap (some drop the nap entirely by 2.5-3)
Naps
Tips for this age
- If your toddler takes too long to fall asleep at bedtime, the nap may need to shorten or end
- Use a toddler clock (light turns green when it's okay to get up)
- Nightmares and night terrors may start - they're different things
- Big transitions (new sibling, potty training, moving) can disrupt sleep temporarily
Vaccines
No new vaccines typically scheduled at 3 years
No new vaccines are typically scheduled at this exact age. The CDC schedule has doses at birth, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 15, and 18 months. Your pediatrician will let you know what's due at each well visit.
Every baby develops at their own pace. The ranges here are based on typical development from the CDC, AAP, and WHO. If something feels off or you have questions, trust your instincts and talk to your pediatrician. You know your baby best.