QUESTIONS PARENTS ASK ABOUT 3-YEAR-OLDS

1. Do all three-year-olds share easily?

Learning to share with others is a difficult task for young children. Three-year-olds will begin to share toys, books, and even their parents with other children; however, it is likely they will find this more difficult when they are tired, ill, hungry, or upset. It is not uncommon for threes to feel possessive of their parents' attention. This ability to share will develop, as children grow older. Parents need to continue to reassure children that they have time for them and holding youngsters when needed.

2. Is bedwetting normal at this age?

Bedwetting is common throughout the early childhood years. After a child is toilet trained, nighttime bedwetting can occur when a child is extremely tired or overly stressed. It can be the result of illness, drinking lots of liquids before bedtime, or kicking off blankets and becoming cold at night. Bedwetting usually decreases as children become older. Parents should not punish or shame a youngster who is bedwetting.

3. My son is still not toilet-trained. Shouldn't he be at this age?

Although most children between 2 and 3 years of age are physically ready for toilet training, some have little interest in the whole idea until after 3 years of age. Each child is different. Parents should continue to talk about using the toilet, but should not shame a child. An effective technique for teaching toilet training to threes includes having a regular routine for potty-breaks (about every two hours), and shopping together for big boy/girl underwear to wear later when diapers are not needed.

4. My daughter seems smaller than others her age. What is the average height for a 3-year old?

Three-year-olds come in all sizes and heights. Heredity will influence how tall a child will be at three, as will good nutrition and health. The average three-year-old is about 37 inches tall height and weighs about 32 pounds. However, children can vary greatly, and this is only an average height and weight.

5. Should I continue to let my child have a night-light when he/she goes to bed?

Having a night-light at bedtime can offer security to a young child. This secure feeling can help youngsters to fall asleep, and if awakened at night, it allows them to find their way to the bathroom or to simply check on where they are before again going to sleep. Night-lights are not harmful and can offer security to children of all ages.

6. Should my child be sucking his thumb at this age? He still is doing it!

Thumb sucking by three-year-olds is often demonstrated when a youngster is tired or ill. It serves as a comfort to some children, and becomes a habit with others. The American Dental Association has stated that thumb sucking is not related to dental problems in later life while youngsters still have their baby teeth. Try to interest your son in other activities if he is thumb-sucking while at play - give him a block, toy, or something to hold in the hand that he sucks. As he gets older, his interest will moves toward doing things with his hands, and they will be less free to move toward the mouth. Do not belittle or shame him. Ignore the behavior, when possible.