In this blog post, we will discuss some fun and educational developmental activities for 3 year olds…
As your child turns three, it is important to provide them with activities that will help foster their development. This can be done in a variety of ways, both inside and outside the home.
Many developmental milestones occur during this age range so it’s important to provide a variety of activities that will challenge your child and help them grow.
Some developmental milestones that occur during the third year of life include:
– Developing an understanding of time and space
– Improved hand-eye coordination
– Increased vocabulary and comprehension skills
– Becoming more independent
In this blog post, we will discuss some fun and educational developmental activities for 3 year olds!
A list of recommended developmental activities for 3 year olds
Developmental activities for three year olds that help with physical, social/ emotional, and cognitive skills:
Language Activities
These include “reading books”, “telling stories with puppets” and “making up rhymes”. Some fun language arts activities are “going to the library” or having storytime at home every night before bed!
Introducing new words, practicing spelling, and learning about grammar are also important language skills for kids. There are other fun “language activities” including “reading books”, and “singing songs”.
Taking Walks
One way to help your child develop an understanding of time and space is to give them opportunities to explore their surroundings. This can be done by taking walks around the neighborhood, visiting a local park, or going on nature hikes.
By exposing your child to different environments, they will begin to understand how things work in relation to their surroundings.
Play Games that Require Motor Skills
You can also help your child improve their hand-eye coordination by giving them opportunities to play games that require fine motor skills. Activities such as coloring, playing with puzzles, and using small toys can all help improve coordination.
“Dress up” games
Dress your child in different costumes and play “make-believe.” This will help them develop their imagination as well as improve social skills such as sharing and cooperation.
Musical chairs
Play “musical chairs” with your child to help them learn how winners are selected based on certain criteria (e.g., being the last one standing).
“Simon says” games
These games help with following directions and improving physical coordination.
Art Activities
Encourage your child’s creativity by having them participate in various art activities such as painting, drawing, sculpting, or collage making. This will help with their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Art activities can also help develop your child’s imagination as well as social/ emotional development when they communicate their thoughts through pictures instead of words!
“I spy” games
I spy something that starts with the letter “g”. Have them guess what it is. This will help improve visual processing, language development, and social interaction.
“Hide and seek”
“Where is mommy?” “I can’t find her!” “Is she under the table? Behind that chair?” These types of games help develop your child’s imagination as well as improve their spatial awareness (e.g., how far away something is from them).
Outdoor Educational Activities for 3 Year Olds
Take advantage of the warmer weather and go outside for some fun activities! Playing in nature can help improve your child’s physical coordination, problem-solving skills, and creativity.
“Red light, green light”
“Red light, stop. Greenlight, go.” This game helps with hand-eye coordination as well as following directions.
“Chase”
This is a great game for improving physical coordination and stamina.
“Freeze Dance”
Play music and have your child freeze in different positions when the music stops. This helps with balance, body awareness, and rhythm.
Physical Activities for 3 Year Old to Boost Sensory Development
Sensory activities are a great way to engage multiple senses (e.g., sight, touch) and promote learning through exploration!
“Scavenger hunt”
“Find something that is red.” “Where are all the things I told you about?” These types of games can help improve your child’s motor skills as well as their language development.
Discovery box
What’s in the box?” “What does it feel like? Smell like? Look at me, I’m going under!” These types of games help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
“Sensory bin” activities
Here is a bowl full of beans! Can you find all the different colored ones?” “I bury my face in the sand and I can’t find you! Help!” These games help with sensory exploration as well as problem-solving skills.
There are many developmental activities that your child can participate in to help them grow and learn! Be sure to provide a variety of activities that cater to their interests and challenge them at their current level.
By doing so, you will help foster a love of learning and provide the foundation for future developmental success!
What should a 3 year old be doing developmentally? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
Activities for 3 Year Old with Developmental Delays
Does your 3 year old exhibit the following characteristics? (Check what apply)
- Poor coordination and balance issues when walking and running.
- Difficulty with fine motor skills (i.e., cutting, grasping small objects, or writing)
- Trouble following directions/focuses on one detail of activity at a time to the exclusion of other important details
If your child exhibits any of these characteristics there is no need for concern. These are all very common developmental delays in toddlers who may be exhibiting signs that they are right-handed or left-handed depending on the type of delay exhibited by your child.
Below are some activities for 3-year-old with developmental delays:
-Playing catch can help improve coordination and balance.
-Cutting with scissors can improve fine motor skills.
-Building towers with blocks can help children focus on one task at a time.
-Practicing walking in a straight line or turning around in circles can improve balance and coordination.
-Coloring and drawing can help children focus on one detail at once while improving fine motor skills.
-Pouring water from one container into another can improve coordination, balance, as well as attention to detail. The child will need to pay close attention so that they do not drop any water or spill it all over themselves!
If you are still concerned about your child’s development, please consult with your pediatrician or an occupational therapist. They will be able to provide additional support and guidance for your toddler.
Remember, every child develops at their own pace so do not worry if your child is a little slower to achieve certain developmental milestones. Just make sure that they are continuing to engage in age-appropriate activities that will help them reach their full potential!
Developmental Activities for 3 Year Olds- Wrap up
Thanks for reading!
We hope you find these activities helpful and informative.
Please share this post with your friends and family who may also have children exhibiting signs of developmental delays.
Let’s help spread awareness and knowledge about these delays so that we can all work together to support our toddlers as they grow and learn!
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Activities for Babies 12- 18 Months: Fun and Educational Activities
9 Fun Activities for 9 Year Olds at Home (plus Indoor Games and Art Projects)