Three-year-olds are full of curiosity. They spend a lot of time watching and imitating life around them. Physically, they are improving in coordination and development of gross (large) motor skills. They like to do and undo things like puzzles and repeat tasks over and over.

As your child approaches 3, make sure his toddler games and toys are keeping up with his developing body and brain. Having the right toys can make toddler learning activities fun family activities.

Here are some general guidelines and suggestions for buying toys for your toddler:

Your toddler...You can...
... Will soon be able to handle some new physical skills:
  • Catch a large ball, throw it over her head and kick it forward.
  • Walk a line, and balance and hop on one foot.
  • Walk a short distance on tiptoes.
  • Climb up a small ladder onto a slide.
  • Jump over obstacles six inches high.
  • Pedal a tricycle.
  • Provide a collection of various size balls, low slides, riding toys, and low climbing toys to encourage physical activity.
  • Teach your child how to waddle like a duck, tiptoe like a bird, slither like a snake, run like a deer - use your imagination! Have short races with him.
  • Help build backyard tents and forts, and create little villages and stockades.
... Will soon have some new thinking and learning skills:
  • Draw a circle and a square.
  • Put together a puzzle containing six pieces.
  • Stack five to seven blocks without knocking them over.
  • Pound, roll and squeeze clay into rough shapes.
  • Listen to stories and simple rhymes.
  • Carry a simple tune and tell short stories from a picture or book.
  • Count two or three objects, match objects to pictures and name some colors.
  • Notice the similarities and differences between objects.
  • Offer books, blackboard and chalk, non-toxic clay and art supplies.
  • Make or buy simple musical instruments.
  • Provide large-piece puzzles.
  • Try playing some simple board and activity games. Make sure game pieces are large enough so your toddler won't choke on them.
... Probably loves to make believe! Children this age enjoy imitating what they see in real life, and "doing what grown-ups do."
  • Collect dress-up clothes and work costumes like nurse, policeman, cowboy and firefighter gear.
  • Provide toys that imitate grown-up tasks like tools and a workbench, gardening items, and a kitchen set. A shopping cart, cash register and plastic food items or farm implements and toy tractors can create endless hours of imaginative play.
  • Offer cars, planes, trucks and trains -- for girls, too!


 

Irene Zundel is a freelance writer and parent.