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During their third year, many children have large growth spurts. They may gain up to 5 lbs. and grow approximately 3 1/2 inches taller. On the average, a child's height will be about 40 to 45 inches and weight, approximately 35 to 55 lbs. The height of some children may far exceed their weight, and they will look like beanpoles. This is especially the case because the body has not yet developed many muscles. It is a good time to set up a yardstick on the bedroom door so you can check a couple of times in the year to see if the weight and height increases are relatively equal. If either one of these measurements is moving ahead much more quickly than the other, check with the pediatrician.
Children's faces will also thin out and become longer. Their jaw will get wider so the permanent teeth have more room. - Motor development is a child's increased ability to use his body. These abilities include gross-motor, balance/coordination and fine-motor skills. The term "gross-motor skills" refers to the child's muscle development and ability to move from one place to the next or to perform activities involving leg and arm muscles. Now that the 3-year-old has been walking for 1 to 2 years, it is much easier to try other leg movements. These toddlers start running, jumping and hopping on two feet. It is still too difficult to perform more complicated movements, such as skipping or hopping on one foot. Some children can stand on one foot for about 5 seconds. They are also proud of slowly walking backwards and trying to tiptoe quietly across the room.
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An increase in balance and coordination makes the child capable of performing more complex physical activities. With fine-motor skills, the 3 -year-olds have better control of their hands and feet and can accomplish activities involving smaller body parts, such as toes and fingers.
Instead of missing every ball that is thrown their way, they can catch some of the bigger balls. They also like to play basketball with hoops at their own height, kickball and even a little bit of soccer. They can accomplish a great deal more with their hands because of increased dexterity and eye-hand coordination. They enjoy scribbling with crayons, using a fork and spoon like a big boy or girl and even trying to get dressed. This presents one of the challenges and frustrations. Both children and parents need to be patient when clothes are inside out, half on and half off and worn completely wrong. - Even at this early age, children are building their self-confidence and self-esteem with their new physical activities. They are pleased when they learn how to hop, especially when getting praise from others. They love throwing a ball back and forth, dancing along with music and racing their parents or siblings to the finish line. Every day they are trying to accomplish new physical feats, which can bring some cuts and bruises and tears, but also a lot of smiles.
- Your child's new physical accomplishments give you many opportunities for positive reinforcement and encouragement to continue her increasing desire for independence. Provide plenty of time for experimentation and practice for such activities as using buttons and zippers, brushing and combing hair and brushing teeth. Continually praise your child for these accomplishments, such as "That was a great job of zipping your jacket," or "I knew you could brush your hair; it looks beautiful." Repetition is also helpful. With each try, a child's physical development will improve.
