Making a Difference: 3-4 Years

I have lots of questions. Please answer me.

I am learning to take turns and to be interested in other people’s feelings. I love my brother and sister. But I still think that everyone sees the world from my point of view

I love to paste, paint and make things out of old boxes and cards, pine cones, empty toilet rolls, masking tape and egg cartons. Please save these for me to play with.

I can help you clean up the mess if you make it quick and fun to do (and I am not too tired).

Help me use my imagination. I love to dress up in your clothes and to pretend to go shopping. I love secrets and surprises.

I like to play with a friend and in small groups.

Steps for Healthy Child Development

Safety

• Watch your child at all times when she is near water, including large buckets and wading pools. She can drown in just a few inches of water.
• Teach and enforce safety rules in driveways, parking lots and around traffic.

Security

• When your child misbehaves, show him you love him but not the behaviour by helping him calm down. For example, say "Mommy loves you but I don’t like it when you whine. Please stop."
• When your child hurts herself, comfort her with a long hug and a kiss on the sore spot (and maybe a band-aid).

Health

• Put some music on and march, twirl and dance with your child to the beat.
• Take your child for his first visit to the dentist.

Learning

• Ask your child how old she is and teach her to hold up three or four fingers in response.
• Use everyday situations and picture books to teach opposites: up and down, cold and hot, near and far, big and little.
• Talk to your physician if you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development

Adjusting

• Give him lots of chances to play with other children.
• Take her to new (and familiar) places such as a library, farm, museum or outdoor market.

What to Expect

Every baby develops at his or her own pace. These are guidelines only. If you are concerned about your baby's development, talk with your doctor, a public health nurse or another trusted health professional.

• Your child can talk in full sentences. Ask about a speech test if people outside the family cannot easily understand your child.
  
• She is learning to control her anger and frustration but may whine or protest loudly when something is happening that she does not like.
• He stops his daytime naps, but needs some "quiet" time during the day.
• She may get extremely anxious when separated from you. She may cling to you in new situations or when she is with new people.
• He will start to play cooperatively with other children more often. He may have a special friend or invent an imaginary friend.
• Your child knows if he is a boy or she is a girl. He or she will be interested in babies and may talk about wanting to marry the parent of the opposite sex.

You make sure that your child eats a balanced diet and gets plenty of physical activity. But what about you?

To stay healthy, you need to take time to exercise and to prepare and eat healthy meals. Now, more than ever you need the energy that comes from regular sleep and time out for recreation. If you smoke, quitting is the best gift you can give yourself (and your child).

These are busy times. You can make physical activity and healthy eating a family affair. But you also need to make time for your own needs.

The Government of Ontario supports parents in their efforts to help children get the best possible start in life. Ontario Early Years Centres are part of that commitment. For more information, please call toll-free 1-866-821-7770.