What Kind of Activities Are There for a 3 Year Old?

I don't know where you live, but I had my son 2 1/2 enrolled in a class called kidokenetics, I know they have a website, if not the community centers usually have classes for a reasonable fee, try the park and rec dept. Hope this helps!

He is old enough for soccer, basketball and karate. The Y offers these.

Any sports at any age helps kids to socialize and puts them with other kids in an environment where they have to listen to others.
I think he'd do great and you'd love how he develops with it.

Instead of daycare-why not look into a part-time pre-school? Something with structure and that will prepare him for VPK and Kindergarten? I started my son in a 2x week 4 hour class when he was 2-3 and now he's in a 3x week 4 hour classes with the 3-4 year olds and it has been wonderful for us both! He loves it. It gives me a few free hours a week and he is learning so much! The school I'm sending him do also does the VPK program so next year there is no cost for regular VPK. Registration starts for most schools (For the Fall) Jan-Feb, so this would be the perfect time to start researching and finding one for him.
If you are not ready to jump into pre-school yet, look into moms groups (like MOMS club http://momsclub.org) where you can find playgroups in your area to socialize him more. Also look into Gymboree and Kindermusik classes--both offer mommy-and-me type classes. Though at 3 I would be interested in teaching him to play with other children without Mommy around.
I would not, however recommend Karate yet. We tried our son at 3 1/2 which is the youngest they took them and though he loved it--he was not ready. (I just took him out) He would not sit still and just did't "get" the class--and if you son isn't in a normal structured learning environment yet, then I don't think you would have much luck either. I do plan on trying him again at 4 though because I think Karate teaches a lot of good concepts--respect, self-discipline, individual goals, etc.

T.,

Take him to church. He will be with other kids and it is really good for his learning how to get along. It doesn't require money and it is good for him. Plus, you get to make some great friends.

Take Care,
T.
Child of God

I would suggest church, Our church offers sort of a mini- Bible based preschool lesson for the little ones once or twice a week. The kids come in, have a routine, sit in circle for a story, play, have snack, color, play some more and really get a chance to learn about other children and kind loving behavior in a God centered environment. The best part about it, it's FREE and while your child is getting his lesson, you can have a chance to go relax and refuel your mind each week and be a better parent having taken care of yourself once in a while. Another oppurtunity is MOPS, and you can also join a playgroup that meets at different members homes for play or crafts or feild trips to the parks, zoo, etc. Good Luck, get out there, you will enjoy it. Even your local library has regular meeting times for preschoolers and you will get to know the regulars there.

Do you go to a church?? Most churchs have children activities. I have 3 children and if it weren't for the kids at church they would never see any.

T.,
How about a playgroup? I am involved in one near my house. We get together & go to the park, each others house, the mall, Sea World, & several other places. You can find one with children similar to your childrens age, so they can learn social skills, how to share, etc....
Also, you will make some wonderful friends. I found mine on www.meetup.com
You type in "stay at home moms" or something like that & then your zip code & it will tell you what is in your area. And the best part of these groups, they are free! Unless of course you decide to go to Sea World or something like that. My group fee is $12/year....so totally affordable.
Hope this helps!
H.

Hi. You could also check out The Little Gym. It would be a 45 or 1 hour play group once a week. They teach all types of classes there and the classes will help him socialize with other kids. My son is 3 1/2 and has been going there since he was 2. They take them really young, too. I have a 14 month old that I'm thinking about putting him in a class in January. You go into the room with them until they are 3. It's a great place and the staff is so great!

You're off to a great start with asking other moms. Keep asking everyone you know in your community and find local publications for your area to look in as well. Try asking your pediatrician too. In Tallahassee I know a lot of three-year-olds who enjoy gymnastics class at Truesdale (not sure of spelling) off John Knox Rd. We used to have Baby Power, which was an excellent place to start but they closed down. Now I would suggest becoming very assertive with asking other moms to get together for play dates. It may be exhausting at first as you use the time to train your little one but don't give up! Be sure to train and discipline as needed and the results will be well worth it. Super Nany is right...just a little consistency on your part goes a long way in raising a happy, healthy, well-liked child! One more thing you might try is your local church. They usually offer age appropriate activities or classes. Ask the teacher to keep you informed as to how your child is doing and work with them in giving him incentives for great behavior if it's not already built into the class structure. Things like a sticker on a chart for every good report and maybe even a trip to the dollar store after ten stickers are one example of an effective way to reward good behavior. Some churches even offer mom's mornings out. That's where I started to socialize my son. It's not usually as structured as preschool but it's a start!

Good Luck!

Julie

Look for play gyms in the area with open gym times. The playground is a great place. I'm not sure why you think he wont listen in a karate class, but it is not a good idea anyway. You should wait until they are at least 4 to start karate. I can tell you this much, your child will follow your lead. If you are in a group of mothers and sit out on the sidelines, your child will do the same. Be social and approach others with an open heart and mind and he will likely follow (at least to some extent, they do have their own personalities). Good luck.

T.,
My Daughter was the same way, very unsocial, and a big Momma's girl. She still is a Momma's girl. I joined my local MOPS Mother's of preschoolers.To help get her socialized, it's like daycare, but only for two hours and you are on the same campus just a seperate room. It's a time for Mom's to catch a break, and Children to develop into their own selves. It has done us wonders... Check out their site, and look up your locale one..
C.

The St Cloud Parks and recreation has some activities. They have creative movement on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 am. There is also creative cooking on Wednesday at 10:30 am and Creative Nature on Friday at 10:30 am. Costs vary from $2 to $5 per class. I know the library also has something on Tuesdays for Toddlers.

Thanks,
K.
www.lunababyproducts.com

Having a step-sbling takes getting used to...Perhaps keeping him busy with you will get him more focused (bring me the diaper, take this to the laundry room, etc)
Are you taking him to the park or favorite playground?
It's exhausting, for sure; but he'll come around and be in kindergarden soon and will adapt.

Good Morning!
My son was an only child and he was not very social either, so at the age of 8 he took Tae Kwon Do at USA T.K.D.Acedemy in Margate; and he became very self confident and has excelled since! he made it to black belt; and then he joined the US Marines. Many student s start as young as 2 yrs. old! I think that his entering this school of art in self confidence did him a world of good and Master Piper is an excellent teacher! I wish you the best in your choices!
God bless you all...
Kathy N.

Is there a playground nearby? At the playground he can learn to wait his turn, share room, share toys, no hitting other children, etc. These are all social skill he can learn before going to a daycare. You don't have to stay there for hours, maybe 30 minutes and it will help you both get out of the house for a while, which always helps. Good luck.

I wouldn't necessarily be too quick to put him "in" something so he can learn to socialize. Particularly since you seem concerned that he will be disciplined for poor behavior during the time he's there. Keep in mind that he and his older sister not sharing amicably is a very normal part of childhood. They are siblings.. that's where the term "sibling rivalry" came from.LOL. Also, he is still in that age where he's just realizing that he isn't the center of the universe. He is old enough to learn to think about others and their feelings, and how they may react or feel about what he does or doesn't do. But that is the kind of stuff that you can teach him at home. (Those little questions.. how would you feel if...?) Particularly when he and his sister are not sharing together well. Those are the "teachable moments". You can practice with him while she is at school (taking turns, sharing a toy, building a tower together, etc), then, after she has had some "down time" after school.. let them do something together... you sit with them. You don't have to be doing whatever it is WITH them, but you should be right there. Then, when they begin to squabble, you know exactly who did/said/grabbed what.... and how to redirect them into a compromise solution.
I have a 10 yr old and a 7 yr old and they have had their share of arguments over who did what to whom and who knocked who's thing and who's turn it is.. etc etc etc ad nauseum... and after awhile, I realized that none of that stuff matters. It's getting them to get past it that matters. The best way is to apologize and see "how we can fix it" and move on. They have to be taught to think from the other person's perspective (empathy or sympathy .. I can never remember exactly which, but anyway).. and that is OUR job as Mommies. Yeah it can be a drag sometimes and some days it seems like it's putting out fires left and right... but that is how they learn. (Although, Noah's Ark at Kingsland First Methodist is awesome - my son went there 3x week, when he was 4 yrs, and it was not an academics oriented preschool.. it was very focused on teaching them how things work in a "school" environment and letting them make friends and have fun...).
If you really just want him to spend some time around a few kids his age once in a while, you could take him to one of the small parks like behind the St Mary's library, or to Howard Peeples'. You'll probably meet some other moms who, if you "click", can start a regular thing. Either at the park, or doing other things- going to the beach, play-dates at home, meeting for a picnic lunch, taking walks down by the waterfront, etc.
Just don't worry that "it's your fault" because he's not around other kids his age. Personally, I don't think that it is such a necessity, until they're a little older... on a regular schedule anyway. Our kids have always been around a wide variety of ages of kids.. most several years older, and they have tons of friends now. And also know how to carry on a polite conversation with adults and older kids (teenagers) too. I think the real trick is being aware of how the kids they are around (whatever their age) behave. Because they will model what they see, and especially what they see someone they admire do/say.

Good luck to you. And a big THANK YOU for your husband's service!

HI T.,
I commend you for keeping your little one home with you. Many times parents are rushing their little ones off to preschools. I am a firm believer in you are your childs first teacher. You can expose them to the experience they need for socialization by bringing them to community centers for classes that are offered in art, music and more. I have had many parents in your same situation bring their students to the drop off classes that I teach at Gymboree. They have several programs that would offer a positive environment for your son to engage in activities with children his age. Keep looking there are programs out there for moms like you.
C.

Have you tried looking for a mom's group? You don't say where you live, but I belong to a great one in Lake Mary called the Hip Chicks. If you're interesyed, send me a message and I'll get you the details. The nice thing is, it's super cheap ($10/year) and we do lots of fun things! Plus your kids will make friends and will be constantly interacting with other kids and other moms. It's wonderful. And I like that I don't always have to think up the activity for the day--I just go to the online calendar and RSVP to the day's event!

Does your daughter's preschool offer a part time program for younger kids? My daughter is 3 and goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lake Mary. I love the program and so does she. It has been really nice for her to have something that is "hers," too, since she is a little jealous of her baby sister!

If you're looking for a class, I've been to Kindermusik and it's great but pretty expensive. You'd have to go with him and you'd have to pay for the baby, too, which I think is ridiculous. :)

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I had the same issue with my 2yr old and I joined a group called the moms club of deland, I know they have it for other cities, try to google it, it is a 20.00 per year membership fee, but must of the pay dates are free and you can pick and choose, plus your 3 month will have play dates they are called creepers! i HAVE A 9 MONTH old who loves it!

What about story hour at the library?

3 year olds do not share. Please don't blame yourself, because no matter what -- 3 year olds are all about themselves. It's nice to show them, but they usually don't learn to share until 5 or 6. It's not being unsocialized, that is just how they are. What I did was to make sure there were somethings they didn't have to share. A favorite truck or robot was something they didn't have to share. Other things I encouraged sharing when my kids would play with others. Just keep encouraging. I got this idea from a nanny and it has worked for my kids. She brought it to an adult level for me... I don't share my husband -- so what makes me think I can make my kids share everything they have. I can probably go down the list, but it's a very good point. You are doing just fine :) Don't be discouraged if he is not at the point of sharing.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

T.
What area do you line in? We have a great Moms club in the OP/Argyle area and we do several a month with our kids.

Being involved in your church is a great way for kids to socialize! We go to the seventh-day adventist church and they are very involved in the kids and there's always great activities for them to do with other children. You can look up the nearest one to you on the internet. My kids are homeschooled and we have 4, ages 6, 5, 3, and 19 months. And they are involved in children's choir, the children's handbell choir, very active in their sabbath school class, and we do community activities like taking them to the nursing homes to sing. But it's really good for them and they are around other children.
Also, on the socialization part, YOU socialize your child. YOU teach them how to act around children by playing with them and teaching while you're playing.
I hope this helps and maybe gives some good suggestions. Take care and may God Bless you and your family!
V.

i would say check with your local library. a lot of times they will have things for toddlers and preschool age children and also you could bring the baby.

My 3 year old son and I do Music Together ($12?/class for him) class once a week, MOPS (small fee) twice a month, and Library story time (free) once a week. We are also members of our zoo. He loves the train and the carousel best. I love getting out and seeing the gardens and getting the exercise. It's so beautiful now.
We also attend church regularly. I stay home with him, too. I don't want to do the daycare thing, either. I keep hearing ladies telling me to put him in something a couple of times a week. I would miss him so much at first but I think I may get used to it and enjoy it--I don't know.
He needs nap now.--God Bless you and your family. Please thank your husband for his service to us and our nation. We appreciate him so much. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Check out the libray for their children's programs. We love storytime at our library here in Brunswick. They have one for infants up to 2 1/2 and then up to 5. Also see if there is a local gymnastics studio. We have one and they have open gym for little ones up to 4 two days a week. Check into a local Mom's Club. They are on the web. They always have activites and play groups going on.

I feel you! I have a 3 year old too, and until recently I didn't know what to do w/him.
I would recommend you some baseball leagues will take him starting at age 3...some...not all! on tuesdays at some local library they do reading groups in the mornings, check that and then maybe you can form some groups he can be in while you are supervising him. I was lucky enough to get him into pre-kinder because he had special needs for speaking so he is going to school now. But this webpage is great to look for ideas and groups. Good luck!

Check what the base has Put them in base daycare one day a week for your freedom time til hubby sails back. Learn to swim. Check out church activities. Does the school system have anything Grab the kids and go to an old folks home and adopt a grandparent. The only poroblem with that is your kids will get totally spoiled the elders love kids and pets

We had lots of listening issues with my son as well. Here are some things that we did that really helped-we did preschool gymnastics at the YMCA(I literally had to hold him in my lap to get him to listen the first class but he improved every week), storytime at the library ( i brought a granola bar and juice so he'd have a snack while sitting and listening), Musikgarten classess, we found a great moms group by searching on-line (we found ours on Meetup.com)so he would have other kids his age to play with. I agree that daycare is probably not your answer. Our local library has tons of activities that we also attend. All of these required listening skills, he had to sit and concentrate for some of them and our family said they noticed a big difference after we'd been working on it for a while.