I know absolutely nothing about a 3 year old.
True, I also didn't know a lot about a baby or a toddler aged 1-2 before, but somehow there's a notion that toddlers below 3 is a more familiar territory. They are basically little humans that need to be fed, cleaned after, taught and etc while they just go along.
But a 3 year old? Their communication skills are better, as are their social skills. They can scheme, plot or form an opinion based on their logic. They have a sense of their identity. A 3 year old is basically a real human being now, lol.
As far as I can tell from Emma, she's more and more emotionally evolved as she exhibits her preferences, inquisitions and temperament. Physically, she's becoming more independent and needing less help now. She is also chattier than she was before and she can get a little mischievous too.
It's not like an overnight change though, but these past few weeks as she's approaching 3, Emma has indeed grown a lot. No longer a toddler.
Personally, I don't feel saddened that she's not a little baby anymore. Probably because there is still her baby sister that I can play with and also because I have long accepted that it's inevitable, so why get all sentimental.
The thing about kids growing up is that you lose sight of what matters. It has always been the case for me, especially when you deal with them daily and you begin to form a habit, unaware of its consequences.
Which is why, I am making a list of what I/ Emma should do now that she's 3:
For me :
- Offer her to dress herself. Maybe she has never been given the option to do it herself, it always seems that she's always waiting to be dressed.
- Reinforcing the importance of tidying up after an activity. You know, pick your pillow up, clean up after your toy, etc.
- Correct her mixed language when talking. I have to correct myself too!
- Establishes a healthy and loving relationship with her. She can be very testing sometimes, and I can be quite short-fused. The combination is not pretty.
- Encourage her social skills.
- Encourage kindness.
For Emma:
- Greet people when prompted. As opposed to being reluctant.
- Compliance to schedule.
- Just generally aware and cooperative to a simple sentence/request.
I hope it's not too ambitious a list as that is all I can think of. Fingers crossed!
Happy 3 year old Emma. We love you!
