language development

Most children by age 3:
Learn new words quickly. Most recognize and can name common objects. 

Use plurals, such as "books" for more than one book. Also most children use pronouns (I, you, me, we, they) and use complete sentences of 4 to 5 words. Strangers understand most of what they say.
    Often ask "why" and "what."
    Understand most of what they hear.
    Are not yet able to fully express their feelings with words.

Sensory and motor development
Most children by age 3:
    Develop more large muscle movements (gross motor skills). These generally include:
        Running.
        Climbing. Most children alternate feet when going up or down stairs.
        Jumping in place.
        Pedaling a tricycle.
        Kicking a ball.
        Bending over easily.
    
Develop more small muscle coordination, which involves their hands and fingers (fine motor skills). These skills may include:
        Copying a circle.
        Using a cup, fork, and spoon with ease.
        Getting dressed, although they usually still need some help managing buttons, zippers, and snaps.
        Turning the pages of a book one at a time.
        Building a tower of 6 blocks.
        Holding pens and pencils using thumb and forefinger.
        Screwing and unscrewing lids.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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