The Milestones Your Child Reaches By 3 Years Old

Finally, you can dust off that Radio Flyer trike. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a 3 year old should be able to pedal a tricycle pretty well. They'll be whipping it up and down the sidewalk in no time with that kind of confidence.

Finally, right? Until you realize your kid has thrown every clean item on the floor after having a fashion show. The CDC also noted that by 3, your child should be able to dress and undress themselves. Whether they get everything to match or not is anybody's guess.

You're their parent, so you always know what they're saying (for the most part). But by 3, your child should be talking well enough that a complete stranger can understand them. The AAP noted that they will be able to speak in sentences of five to six words, master some grammar, and speak clearly when telling a story or having a conversation.

Whether it's through unscrewing jar lids, opening door handles, or solving puzzles with three to four pieces, the CDC noted that your little one's problem solving capabilities will flourish by 3. They will also be able to explain more easily why they are upset, how to solve their emotions, and negotiate solutions for conflicts according to the AAP.

Yay, there goes your fridge. Beyond scribbles, your 3-year-old child can probably draw some shapes and even figures that represent you or other family members according to the AAP.

And I mean, blossom. According to Parents, 3 is when children begin really playing with their peers and become aware of what play dates actually are and how to behave. If you have a particularly anxious kid, this may be a difficult time for them, but their awareness of playing with other children and making friends is still there.

Yup, according to the CDC, your 3-year-old can now manage to walk up and down a set of stairs on their own with one foot on each step. Remember the baby gates? Aw, memories.

Although Elmo has a lot to answer for in terms of referring to himself as Elmo all the time, your 3-year-old child should grow out of that habit. According to the CDC, most 3 year olds use pronouns like we, me, I, and you when telling a story or referencing someone, including themselves.

Outdoor play time just got a whole lot more fun. The AAP noted that by 3, most kids can throw a ball overhand, catch a bouncy ball (most of the time), and kick a ball forward. Organized sports are still a mess at this point, but hey, progress.

Whether they're playing house or becoming a princess to fight off monsters, 3 is the age where their imagination really takes off according to the AAP. They will become more imaginative than ever before and really dive into pretend play meaning everything is a dragon and you have no say in it.

So instead of trying to explain five minutes over and over again while your kid waits for a cookie or to get out of the car, a 3-year-old child can kind of understand it, noted the AAP. Of course, this isn't fool-proof, but knowing that they can kind of grasp time and what it means is going to be really helpful.

"Mama, remember that time we went to the store and you bought me a cookie?" "Remember when I met Santa?" "Yesterday, my brother gave me a sucker." Your kid will be full of quips like this because at 3 years old they start to recall stories and even make up their own, according to Parents. They may not get all of the details right or pronounce everything correctly, but they will definitely try.

Seriously. I'm converted — 3 years old sounds less scary and more fun than anything. This is when your kids are really learning who they are, they are beginning to understand their emotions and those of people around them, and they are working really hard to share their personality with you. Soak it all in.