Three is a delightful age. A child has greater self control, is friendly and cooperative and learning to manage social relationships. Let’s follow him through a typical day.
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| . Frequently whines upon awakening. May drowse off after getting mother’s help in toileting. |
. Cheers up when fully awake. Likes to frisk around parents’ room and get dressed with them. |
. Can put on pants, socks, shoes, sweater. Able to undress easily, undo buttons but most can’t button them. |
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| . Appetite usually good for breakfast. Feeds himself skillfully, not much parental help is needed. |
. Will cooperate in clearing the table, tidying his own room, if asked. |
. Sometimes creates imaginary playmates, pets, or pretends that he is an animal. |
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| . Alternates between pestering brothers and sisters, and getting along with them. |
. Learning to ride tricycle. Likes to go marketing with mother. |
. Requests favorite foods (such as fruit, meat, milk) when meal is being prepared. |
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| . Gaining good control of elimination. Frequently has bowel movement after lunch. |
. Willing to rest at naptirne, but frequently does not go to sleep. |
. Beginning to be able to play with other children, as well as beside them. Has definite choice in friends. |
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| . Needs guidance when play gets quarrelsome. Aggressiveness expressed in words as well as actions. |
. Notices sex differences and sometimes worries about them. Questions should be answered simply. |
. May handle genitals. Can be quite matter of factly distracted from sex play. |
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