Height and Weight
One of the most important ways your pediatrician will determine your child’s physical growth is by measuring height and weight to make sure she is growing at a steady rate. Most three year olds fall between these two numbers (but don’t worry, all children grow at different rates): Three year- old girls range from 35 to 40 inches in height, and boys are roughly a half inch taller. Girls typically weigh 25 to 38 pounds, and boys weigh 27 to 38 pounds. In order to determine how your child compares to other children your doctor will use the pediatric growth chart.
As long as your child is growing at a regular rate, the position she holds on the chart is not terribly important. Keep a monthly log of your child’s height and weight to see how your three year old is growing.
Another measurement your doctor will take is the circumference of your child’s head. This is important for determining healthy brain development.
Head Circumference: Girls: 18.25 to 20 inches
Boys: 18.5 to 20.5 inches
Questions doctors may ask:
* Is your child still taking an afternoon nap? (Most still need one.)
* How much and how often does your child eat? Is he eating a variety of foods?
* How is potty training going? If your child hasn’t shown any signs of being ready to toilet train, be sure to let your doctor know.
* Is he left- or right-handed? By age three, most children have a dominant hand.
* Does your child play well with others? Three year olds normally Questions doctors may ask: have a hard time sharing their toys. * Can your child recognize his name when called out or in print?
* Does your child jump, kick a ball, or ride a tricycle or other threewheeled bicycle?
* Does your child always wear a safety helmet while riding a bike or a scooter and while roller skating or inline skating?
Other important areas your doctor will discuss with you is how your child is progressing in his self-help skills, language skills, social skills, and behavioral development by asking the following questions:
* Does your child dress and undress himself (with a little help)?
* Does your child brush his teeth, wash hands, and brush his hair?
* Is your child able to form sentences using three or more words?
* Does your child walk up stairs with alternating feet?
Having routine yearly well-child visits with your little one’s pediatrician enables you to address concerns (if any) early on, and give you peace of mind in knowing that your child is healthy and that his development is on track and age appropriate.
