Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

Which action is most advanced for a 3 year old child to perform?

1. Ride a bicycle

2. Skip

3. Jump in place

4. Build LEGO blocks

The correct answer is: Ride a bicycle

A 3-year-old child typically demonstrates various motor skills as part of their developmental milestones. Riding a tricycle is an advanced action for a child of this age because it requires a combination of gross motor skills, coordination, and balance, which are increasingly refined during early childhood. By age 3, many children have developed the ability to pedal, steer, and maintain balance while riding a tricycle, demonstrating significant progress in their physical development. Other actions, such as skipping or riding a bicycle, are generally beyond the abilities of most 3-year-olds. Skipping usually develops around age 5, as it involves not just asking the child to alternate feet but also a level of coordination and rhythm that a 3-year-old may not have yet mastered. Riding a bicycle typically requires better balance and coordination, skills that are usually developed later. Jumping in place is a common skill by age 3, but it’s less complex than riding a tricycle, making the latter a more advanced action for a child in this age group.