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Let Your Three Year Old Help in the Garden or Make a Picture Book

Last Updated: September 14, 2009

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Parenting Tips for Your 35-36 Month Old Toddler

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If your child could tell you what he enjoys doing, it would be:

  • Share your interests with me. If you enjoy fishing, include me. If you like cooking or gardening, I’d like to help.
  • Give me simple instructions, such as, “Please put the paper in the trash can.” After I do it, let me know how pleased you are by saying, “Thank you.” I’ll learn to be polite if you are.
  • Show me how to take things apart and put them together. Give me an old coffee percolator or pieces of pipe with connecting joints to screw on and off. These things will keep me busy for quite a while.
  • Make or buy me a small backpack. I’ll wear it around the house and on walks. I will put my own special treasures in it. Wearing it makes me feel very grown up.
  • Let me choose magazine pictures and help me make my own picture book. Let me change the pictures from time to time. I will like looking at the book and talking about the pictures.


Learn more about Your Toddler: 35-36 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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