I wanted to keep this article short and sweet. So I’ll jump right into the basic skills to help your 3 year old develop and learn…
Here are 30 life skills that a 3-year-old can start learning:
- Washing hands: Properly using soap and water.
- Brushing teeth: With guidance, twice a day.
- Dressing: Putting on easy clothes like pants and shirts.
- Using the potty: With minimal assistance.
- Feeding themselves: Using utensils like a spoon or fork.
- Pouring water: From a small pitcher into a cup.
- Cleaning up toys: Tidying up after playtime.
- Recognizing basic colors: Identifying common colors.
- Counting to ten: Simple number recognition.
- Identifying shapes: Basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles.
- Sharing with others: Taking turns with toys or snacks.
- Following simple instructions: Completing tasks with one or two steps.
- Using manners: Saying “please” and “thank you.”
- Expressing emotions: Identifying and talking about feelings.
- Holding a pencil or crayon: Practicing grip for drawing or writing.
- Identifying body parts: Naming parts like arms, legs, and ears.
- Putting on shoes: Attempting to slip on shoes independently.
- Zipping up a jacket: Starting to use zippers.
- Recognizing their name: In print and understanding it refers to them.
- Helping with simple chores: Tasks like dusting or wiping a table.
- Opening and closing doors: Learning to handle doorknobs.
- Turning pages of a book: Without ripping or damaging.
- Using a tissue: For wiping their nose.
- Listening to a story: Sitting still and paying attention.
- Identifying sounds: Recognizing common sounds like a phone ringing.
- Understanding basic safety: Like staying away from hot surfaces.
- Using scissors: With safety scissors, under supervision.
- Recognizing family members’ names: Knowing who is who.
- Walking in a line: Following directions in a group setting.
- Recognizing and respecting personal space: Understanding boundaries with others.
