Between the ages 3 and 4 years active toddlers work very hard at improving their basic walking, running, jumping and climbing and hand skills.
Here is a basic list of the skills you can expect your 3 year old to be able to do.
Walking, running stepping
Walk around the block. Not stopping or complaining and keeping up with an adult. At this age active young children often run part of the way just for the pleasure of moving fast.
Walk up a short hill.
Walk across rough ground without tripping and falling.
Run flat out for a distance of 10 meters - or the width of a tennis court
Walk up and down a flight of stairs easily, one step at a time, holding on for balance only.
Step up onto a low step or curb without holding on
Step off a low step or curb without holding on
Step over a low obstacle such as a row of bricks or milk bottles
Walk along a raised plank
Walk down a steep slope
Step across a gap
Jumping
Jump up and down on two feet
At 2y 6m Will can even jump forwards off two feet
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Copy
Jump off a low step or chair
Older active toddlers are able to jump of a chair or stool. Here you see Will jumping off a wooden block and controlling his balance on landing by putting his hands forwards.
Run and jump over a low obstacle - such as a row of milk bottle
Hop once or twice only on one leg
Climbing and clambering
Climb up onto a bed or sofa At 15 months will manages to climb up onto a quite a high surface with confidence.
Climb up onto a kitchen chair or box and stand up
Will at 2 years can climb up onto a box and stand up with good balance. This requires good planning to manage to turn around.
Climb into and out of a box
Climb up the rungs to the top of a slide
Climb onto the lowest rungs of a climbing frame
Hang with two hands from a bar
Climb into the car - and into their car seat
Starting to get into the bath - but this is still tricky due to the height of the bath
Crawl under a table or a chair without bumping the head.
Crawl up a slope
Riding a tricycle and push bike
Able to ride a push bike / scooter- often at speed
learning to peddle a tricycle - not usually before the age of 3 years.
Getting dressed and undressed
Take off shirts and jackets when the buttons are undone
Take of trousers (pants) and panties (underpants)
Starting to pull up own pants - but this can still be a bit tricky
Take off shoes and boots
Take of socks - but cannot put socks on yet
Able to put on some shoes and boots
Starting to undo buttons - depending and size
Eating and drinking
Feed self with a spoon
Drink from a cup
Sip through a straw
Peal a banana
Eat an apple or pear - skin and all
Chew effectively - crusts, meat, pasta
May still not be adventurous with new flavours and textures
Using the hands
Pick up and carry heavy objects - 2 liter bottles filled with water
Carry large objects
Pour water from a bottle into a bowl - but not yet very accurate
Carry a cup of water over a flat surface - but cannot yet stand up with a cup in the hand without spilling
Wipe a surface using a cloth.
Starting to cut with a scissors
Able to thread beads
Fit shapes into posting box
Open a tap
Turn on switches
Take off a screw top lid
Put together simple puzzles - this depends on experience
Put together simple construction toys such as Duplo or a marble run.
Post flat objects through a narrow slot. This is quite tricky because the object needs to be aligned with the slot.
Draw rounded shapes and lines in different direction. Still sues a palmar grasp to hold the marker.
Ball skills
Catch a large ball with tow hands
Intercept a rolled ball - watches the ball and anticipates the direction it will take.
Throw a ball overhand
Throw or roll a ball to knock over tower of boxes or bottle skittles.
Kick a soccer ball