Child at 3 years
Updated 25 Oct 2026
What most children can do at 3 years
Social and emotional
- Your child copies adults and friends
- Your child shows affection for friends without being prompted
- Your child understands taking turns in games. For example, when playing on the slide, they can wait their turn and let the next child go. Your little one is already joining in group games very well
- Your child understands the ideas of "mine" and "someone else's".
- Your child shows a wide range of emotions
- Your child separates easily from mum and dad
- Your child may get upset if there is a big change in routine
- Your child can dress and undress themselves
Language and communication
- Your child can follow instructions with 2 to 3 steps. For example, "put on your shoes, open the door and go outside"
- Your child can name familiar objects
- Your child understands words like "on", "in" and "under"
- Your child can say their name, age and sex
- Your child knows and says the names of friends
- Your child can use pronouns such as "I", "you", "we", "mummy" and plurals such as "friends", "cars"
- Your child talks well enough for strangers to understand most of what they say
- Your child starts conversations using 2–3 sentences
Cognitive (learning, thinking and problem-solving)
- Your child can work toys with buttons, levers and moving parts
- Your child plays make-believe with dolls, animals or the people around them
- Your child can do 3–4 piece puzzles
- Your child understands what "two" means
- Your child can copy a circle with a pencil or crayon
- Your child can turn the pages of a book one at a time
- Your child can build towers of more than 6 blocks
- Your child can screw and unscrew jar lids or turn a door handle
Movement / Physical development
- Your child climbs quite well
- Your child runs easily
- Your child can pedal a tricycle
- Your child can walk up and down stairs, one foot on each step
If your child shows any of the signs below, take them to see a doctor early
- Your child falls a lot or has trouble with stairs
- Your child drools or speaks very unclearly
- Your child cannot play with simple toys, simple puzzles or turn a handle
- Your child does not speak in sentences
- Your child does not understand simple instructions
- Your child does not play pretend or make-believe
- Your child does not want to play with toys or other children
- Your child does not make eye contact
- Your child loses skills they once had
Things you can do for your 3-year-old
- Take your child to group play areas or new places with other children to encourage them to get along with others.
- When you notice your child is unhappy, work through the problem together
- Put your child's feelings into words. For example, say "I know you're cross because you threw that puzzle piece." Encourage your child to recognise different feelings in storybooks.
- Set rules and limits for your child and stick to them firmly. If your child breaks a rule, have them stay on a chair or in their room and ignore them for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Praise them when they follow the rules.
- Patiently guide your child through activities with 2 or 3 steps. For example, "Go to your room and get your shoes and coat."
- If you can, read and look at picture books with your child every day. Ask them to point to things in the pictures and repeat the words after you.
- Give your child an "activity box" with paper, crayons and colouring books. Colour and draw lines and shapes together.
- Play matching games with your child. Ask them to find things in books or around the house that are alike.
- Play counting games with your child. Count body parts, stairs and other things you use or see every day.
- Play outdoors with your child as much as you can. Go to the park or somewhere with long walking paths. Let your little one play freely without structured activities.
Signs that need a doctor now
If you notice any of the signs below, please go to the nearest health facility to be checked by a doctor.
Bluish skin around the lips, hands and feet, or the whole body
A bluish colour around the lips, on the hands and feet, or over the whole body is a sign the baby is short of oxygen. Call 115 or take your baby to the nearest hospital at once.
Difficulty breathing, fast breathing, chest indrawing
Breathing faster than 60 breaths a minute, chest indrawing, flaring nostrils or pauses in breathing are signs of breathing difficulty in a newborn. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now. If the baby stops breathing or turns blue, call 115.
Convulsions (fits) in a baby
A convulsion in a young baby is a danger sign. Call 115 or take your baby to the nearest hospital at once; lay the baby on their side and do not put anything in the mouth.
Signs of dehydration
No wet diaper for 6 hours, a dry mouth and lips, and few or no tears when crying are signs of dehydration. Sunken eyes, a sunken soft spot, cold hands and feet and excessive sleepiness are signs of severe dehydration and an emergency. Please take your baby to the nearest emergency department now or call 115.
Source: Vinmec – Mất nước ở trẻ sơ sinh
Fever of 38°C or higher in a baby under 3 months
A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs to be seen by a doctor, even if the baby seems otherwise well. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now.
Jaundice spreading to the belly, arms and legs, or appearing early
Jaundice that spreads to the belly, arms, legs, palms or soles, appears within the first 24 hours after birth, or lasts more than 2 weeks needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby in now, especially if the baby is feeding poorly or very sleepy.
Source: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Cách chăm sóc trẻ sơ sinh bị vàng da
Poor feeding, lethargy, hard to wake
Feeding problems, clearly reduced activity, or a baby who feels cold are danger signs in a newborn. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please take your baby to the nearest health facility now.
Fever after birth
A temperature of 38°C or higher after giving birth can be a sign of infection. This sign needs to be checked by a doctor. Please go to the nearest health facility now.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Heavy bleeding after birth
Soaking through one or more pads in an hour, or passing large clots, is a sign that needs emergency care. Call 115 or have someone take you to the nearest hospital now.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
You are not alone, and these thoughts need a doctor's support soon. Please tell someone you trust right away and go to the nearest health facility today. If you feel unsafe right now, call 115.
Source: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
Sources
Content advised by our doctors.
- HealthyChildren.org (AAP) (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- CDC (accessed 22 Oct 2026)
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Triệu chứng suy hô hấp ở trẻ sơ sinh
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: WHO – Newborn mortality (fact sheet)
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Mất nước ở trẻ sơ sinh
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Vinmec – Trẻ bị sốt, khi nào cần đưa đi khám?
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: Bệnh viện Đa khoa Tâm Anh – Cách chăm sóc trẻ sơ sinh bị vàng da
- Source for the signs that need a doctor: CDC – Hear Her: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs and Symptoms
This article helps you understand and prepare. It does not replace a check-up. For an answer about your own situation, please ask the doctor who is caring for you.