It is official! Your child is now a preschooler! The toddler years are behind you
(which may be a relief to some parents!). Your child is rapidly growing out of toddler behavior.
Your child may be less "self focused" and more of a social being. She is becoming a person of
the world. She is learning about rules and ways to behave with others. You may be notice that
your child is more compliant with rules and more able to play and share with other children.
Three-year-olds love to play with friends and create elaborate pretend games. Now your child
may be asking for a playmate to come over or to call on grandma for a visit. Three-year-olds
are more aware of adult roles. And they want to have relationships with the adults they know.
Although your child is still dealing with issues of separation, they may have moved past the
struggles of the toddler years. Now your child is more focused on figuring out his place in
the world. He is testing out his abilities to function in this world and with others.
Make a play date. Help your child develop a circle of friends by connecting with
other families. Plan an hour or so of fun for your child and a friend. You might enjoy the
company, too!
A book might help. There are many good children's books about the struggles your
three-year-old may be going through. There are books about things like going to pre-school,
going to the doctor, moving, and giving up thumb-sucking. Reading and talking together might
help your child cope. There are even books about more serious issues like divorce or illness.
Ask your pediatric team or librarian for help finding a good book. They might have good ideas
about how to use it, too.
Adapted from Healthy Steps. Edited and Compiled by the Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care 2011
