Children this age...

Start to play with other children, instead of next to them

Are more likely to take turns and share

Are friendly and giving

Begin to understand that other people have feelings and rights

Like silly humor, riddles, and practical jokes

Like to please and to conform

Generally become more cooperative and enjoy new experiences

Are increasingly self-reliant and probably can dress without help (except for buttons and shoelaces)

May develop fears ("Mommy, there's a monster under my bed.") and have imaginary companions

Are more graceful physically than 2-year-olds and love to run, skip, jump with both feet, catch a ball, climb downstairs, and dance to music

Are great talkers, speak in sentences, and continue to add more words to their vocabularies

Have greater control over hand and arm muscles, which is reflected in their drawings and scribblings

Children this age require opportunities to

Develop their blooming language abilities through books, games, songs, science, and art activities

Develop more self-help skills - for example, to dress and undress themselves

Draw with crayons, work puzzles, build things, and pretend

Play with other children so they can learn to listen, take turns, and share

Develop more physical coordination - for example, by hopping on both feet