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Difficulty: MediumDevelopmental Stages and Transitions

While reviewing a health history questionnaire at a pediatric practice, a practical nurse notes a parent's observations of their three-year-old child's daily activities. Which of the following documented abilities should the nurse recognize as expected developmental milestones for this age group? (Select all that apply.)

  1. Successfully pedaling a tricycleAnswer
  2. B
    Skipping forward on alternating feet
  3. Building a tower using nine or ten blocksAnswer
  4. D
    Tying shoelaces without adult assistance
  5. Asking questions frequently, especially starting with 'why'Answer

Answer

The normal developmental milestones for a three-year-old include successfully pedaling a tricycle, building a tower of nine to ten blocks, and frequently asking 'why' questions.
At three years of age, expected developmental transitions include significant improvements in coordination and cognition. Pedaling a tricycle demonstrates appropriate gross motor strength and balance. Building a tower of nine to ten blocks shows expected fine motor control and visual-spatial awareness. Frequently asking 'why' questions reflects normal cognitive growth and an expanding vocabulary as the child seeks to actively understand their environment.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the client's age and the domains being assessed.
The client is three years old, requiring evaluation of age-appropriate motor, cognitive, and language skills.
Developmental milestones are strictly age-dependent and form the basis of pediatric nursing assessments.
2
Evaluate the gross and fine motor skill options against three-year-old expectations.
Pedaling a tricycle and stacking nine or ten blocks are expected at three years, while skipping and tying shoelaces emerge later around age five.
Distinguishing between early preschool and late preschool physical capabilities prevents inaccurate developmental evaluations.
3
Assess the cognitive and language behaviors.
Asking 'why' questions is a classic and expected phase of intellectual curiosity for a three-year-old.
Language and cognitive expansion at this age manifest heavily through interrogative speech.

Key Concept

Developmental milestones in the three-year-old child (preschool transition)
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Topics

Developmental Stages and Transitions

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