Welcome to the world of three year olds! In all that we do and all that we say, we are taught about Jesus and His love for us. Hands-on experiences, fieldtrips, singing, and dancing help our bodies and brains learn the basic concepts of shapes, colors, patterns, ABC’s, 123’s, days of the week, and months of the year. We may be the littlest on the campus but we have the most fun learning through play.
What 2½ - 3-year-olds should know by the time they enter 4-year-old room
Spiritual Development
- Understands the central teachings of the Bible
- Can say a short, memorized prayer
- Respects others as God’s children
- Enjoys listening to Bible lessons
- Retells/recalls details from Bible lessons
- Is able to memorize simple songs
- Loves to sing and share Bible songs with others
- Learns the Gospel in a nut shell and is able to share with others
- is able to learn short Bible passages and repeat
- has a hunger to learn more of God’s Word
Physical Development
- Stretch arms high over head
- Twist at the waist
- Bend over and touch toes
- Walk upstairs one foot at a time Climb up and down play structures freely
- Enjoys large motor activities
- Balance standing on one foot and then the other (3 seconds)
- Strings or threads beads or spools
- Uses glue in an appropriate manner
- Handles small manipulative (duplos)
- Can put together a 5-10 piece puzzle
- Can clap hands together (3-5 times in a row)
- Builds with blocks
- Draws and colors beyond a scribble
- Zips clothes
- Be familiar with the proper handling of scissors
- Draws and cuts simple shapes
- Cut on a straight line
- Can draw a line from one object to another
- Can draw a person having a head, eyes, mouth, body, arms and legs
- Have exposure to the proper gripping of pencils, crayons, markers, and paintbrushes
- Walk downstairs one foot at a time
- Assimilate catching a ball without fear
- Crawling under a chair
- Throwing (underhanded, right, left, over handed)
- Kick a ball while standing still
- Jump two feet together
- Hop on right foot 3 times in a row
- Hop on left foot 3 times in a row
- Can pedal a tricycle
Social/Emotional Development
- Aware of others’ feelings
- Exhibits cooperative behavior or attitude
- Works and plays well with others
- Participates in clean up
- Willing to share with classmates
- Willing to take turns with classmates
- Takes part in group activities most of the time
- Plays independently
- Follows school routine
- Is willing to try to dress himself/herself
- Can sit quietly for 3-5 minutes
- Makes choices and plans
- Initiates play
- Is able to go to the bathroom with minimal help
- Attempts to solve problems with minimal assistance
- Shows satisfaction in accomplishments
- Follows 1 step directions
- Attempts to engage in cooperative behavior with peers
- Identifies other children by name
- Can be away from parents for 2-3 hours
- Looks forward to going to school
- Attempts to meet visitors with minimal shyness
Intellectual Development
- Is able to name the basic shapes (circle, square, rectangle, triangle, diamond, heart)
- Is able to name the basic colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, black, brown, gray, white, pink)
- Knows age
- Listens to and understands directions when being talked to
- Sits for a story
- Enjoys being read too
- Recalls 1-3 facts from a story
- Can recognize own name
- Is able to remember pictures from a page
- Repeats a 3-5 word sentence
- Pretends to read
- Can answer questions about a story
- Sings the alphabet song
- Has ease in talking
- Knows basic body parts (hands, eyes, fingers, toes, feet, ears, mouth, hair chin, elbow, knees, shoulders, head)
- Beginning to recognize letters
- Sorts objects
- Identifies patterns
- Beginning to identify position
Creative Development
- Enjoys moving to music and singing
- Knows the words of several children’s songs
- Listens to a variety of music
- Makes and builds models
- Draws or paints pictures
- Enjoys using a variety of art mediums, colors, or textures