What can your 3.3 year old do??

[rattie77]

My DS is 3.3 and I thought he was generally quite bright and coming along fine but I am beginning to think he should be more independent. My DH collected him from nursery last night and he commented on another little bou same age who happily put his own shoes on and coat very easily. I can't see my LO doing this unless coaxed, wouldn't even enter his head. He goes to the toilet himself etc, but I still have to wash his hands/face/teeth - I do try to get him to do them himself but he doesn't really put much effort in, though I know he won't do them perfect and I still encourage. I dress him each day again trying to encourage independence, but he is not interested. He will help out around the home and I give him little jobs to do etc. I think part of the problem is that as we don't have to be out early in the morning, there is no sense of urgency - when my other children were little it was manic getting them all out to school on time. Anyway just wandering what others of his age can do?
He also doesn't really play alone, likes me there all the time and has limited attention span with drawing, jigsaws etc (may be a boy thing as my other DSs were similar but daughter loved them?).

DS is 3.9, in theory he can go to the toilet independently but he is not keen on the idea, he often gets upset if I try to force the issue so I've just carried on helping. If he doesn't take the initiative before the summer I'll do a sticker chart or try to persuade him somehow for school.
He would happily 'wash hands' for hours but has flooded the bathroom so he doesn't get an opportunity to do it unsupervised very often.
He has brushed his teeth enthusiastically since we got him an electric toothbrush.
He does play alone really well and is very good at self-entertaining.
Only draws scribbles but is really good at number/letter recognition.

Feeling much better about DS now, you are right all children different and will do things in their own time and way. I should know better than to compare - just got a bit angsty for a while, thanks everyone.

thanks rattie for starting this - I had been tying myself in knots about the fact that dd can't draw or do letters, and it seems that she is completely normal! I think a lot of it is down to character, too

Hello DD (3.3) dresses herself, goes to the toilet by herself (provided she has her non-wobbly toilet seat and step to hand), can put on shoes (when it suits her), must get in and out of the car by herself.

She is just learning to scoot but isn't very good yet, she can draw the first letter of her name (with a bit of imagination). Knows loads of songs and sings them well, plays fantastically by herself- always has. She knows her letters and numbers and can count a number of objects up to 5 or maybe a few more.

She doesn't like broccoli and she does like sweeties and chocolate.

She is much more independent than DS was at her age but is just a different personality and maybe as second child likes to copy her older bruv.

Oh yes, before she starts sounding a bit too advanced, should mention she might know the letters but she doesn't know the sounds as is evidenced by her joining in with I spy games. Very funny. She is pretty good at those easy kiddie board games when she feels like it, again wanted to join in with bruv from about 2.5.

See everything rhetorician said

DD1 can dress herself very well and remember lots of songs after only a couple of times hearing them. Knows the first letter of her name but is perplexed when I point at numbers (her friend has very few words but recognises numbers - go figure). Can't be bothered with her scooter or trike because it's too much like hard work (traits of DH showing through).

Recent victory - she's a whizz at sweeping. Very handy as DD2 is tackling finger food

My DS was 3 a couple of weeks ago.

He can go to toilet himself, but doesn't wipe his own bum after a poo! Will wash his hands
Brushes own teeth
Feeds himself and can drink from an open cup
Can't put shoes on, but can take them off. Can put his own pants on but that's about it! helps me to dress him though.
Plays independently sometimes, can do jigsaws for a long time.
Can write the letter 'C' which is the first letter of his name, but can't do any other letters.
Can write some numbers and recognises all numbers 1-9 (numbejacks fan!). Can count to 12.
Draws faces and has a go at drawing some other things.
Does a little bit of cleaning like dusting or sweeping.
Can scoot and can pedal a trike. Can throw, catch and kick a ball.