Helpful Tips for Parents

• Outdoor time in all weathers builds immunity — the "cold air causes colds" myth is false. Colds are caused by viruses, and outdoor exposure to varied weather strengthens respiratory immunity.

• Preschoolers average 8–10 colds per year — this is normal and builds immunity. Frequent illness in a healthy preschooler is expected, not concerning.

• Mental health monitoring in preschoolers matters. Persistent anxiety, sadness, regression, or aggression that interferes with daily life warrants a conversation with the child's pediatrician.

• Vaccine-preventable diseases are still a risk. Following the CDC immunization schedule is the most evidence-based health decision a parent makes on a child's behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many colds is normal for a preschooler in a year?

Preschoolers average 8–10 colds per year — significantly more than adults, whose immune systems have been trained by decades of viral exposure. Preschoolers in group care (preschool, daycare) typically have more respiratory illnesses than those at home, as group settings facilitate viral transmission. The high frequency of illness in early childhood is building the immune memory that produces adult resistance. Frequent colds in an otherwise healthy, growing preschooler are expected and not a sign of immune deficiency.

My preschooler complains of stomachaches every morning before school. Should I be concerned?

Morning stomachaches specifically before school are frequently somatic expressions of anxiety rather than physical illness. Key indicators: the stomachache resolves after school departure or once settled into school; no fever or other symptoms; the pattern is consistent on school days but not weekends or holidays. If somatic complaints are consistent and significant, discuss with your pediatrician to rule out physical causes (constipation is common and frequently missed) and with the preschool teacher to assess the school environment. Brief conversations about school worries and connection with a trusted adult at school are the most common effective interventions.

Related reading: See also our water safety guide and our nutrition guide for more ideas on this topic.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

• 🌡️ Illness Literacy — Learning age-appropriate facts about illness — what symptoms to tell an adult about, how germs spread, and why rest helps recovery — builds the health literacy that enables children to be appropriate self-advocates for their own health.
• 🎯 Self-Care Independence — Practicing health-related self-care — managing bathroom needs, blowing their own nose, recognizing hunger and thirst — builds the practical independence and bodily awareness that school and daily life require.
• 🧼 Hygiene Habits — Learning and practicing hygiene routines — handwashing, toothbrushing — establishes automatic habits that protect health throughout life and builds the self-care independence that school and daily life require.
• 😊 Emotional Self-Awareness — Recognizing physical signals of emotion — a tight stomach, a fast heart, tension — builds the mind-body awareness and emotional intelligence that self-regulation, communication, and mental health depend on.

Step-by-step instructions for creating this cool racecar bedroom.

Three-Year-Old Development

Physical Development

At the age of three, your preschooler may be able to do the following physical activities:

• Ride a tricycle
• Hop on one foot
• Jump with both feet horizontally
• Stack up to 10 objects
• Catch a ball
• Paint with a paintbrush or hands
• Color with crayons
• Manipulate small objects, such as pegs

Social/Emotional Development

Three-year-olds love to pretend play and act very dramatically. It is at this age when they begin to learn to share with others. You may find that your three-year-old is starting to understand what the rules of the house are and knows the consequences for not following them. Your three-year-old may have bursts of anger, but they are short-lived. It is important to encourage your three-year-old to "use their words", as I tell mine, instead of screaming and crying. Once they see that this gets them what they want a little quicker, they will begin to tell you what's on their mind instead of screaming at you.

Chores Your Three-Year-Old Should Be Able to Do

I bet your preschooler loves to help you clean up the house. I know every time I'm doing any housework, my little one is right there beside me offering a helping hand. They are capable, so why not give them a task? There are many things your three-year-old should be able to do around the house to help you out, such as:

• Set and clear the table
• Sweep the floor with a broom and/or hold the dust pan
• Dust
• Scrub the toilets
• Wipe down countertops
• Empty the dryer and help match socks or place shirts on hangers
• Get the mail from the mailbox
• Water plants

Activities Your Three-Year-Old Should Be Able to Do

Let the fun begin! There are many activities your preschooler can, and loves, to do. Here are just a few:

• Climb, jump, ride tricycles
• Play with toys that have small pieces or parts
• Dressing and undressing themselves/dolls
• Sing songs and dance
• Tell/make-up stories
• Sort different/same objects
• Color with paint, crayons, chalk, etc.
• Recite parts of stories or songs they remember
• Tell you about their day

Source: nncc.org

I'm Stacey Lloyd , the Executive Editor and one of many writers for PreschoolRock.com. I enjoy writing about preschoolers, and reading your ideas and experiences with your preschooler. If you have any suggestions, ideas or questions about this site, please contact me .

HOME | SITEMAP | ADVERTISE | CONTACT | REPRINTS | PRESS RELEASES | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE

PreschoolRock.com is Copyright 2006 - Stacey Lloyd - All Rights Reserved.