Amazing Me book - part I

Illustrated by
Allison Valentine

It’s Busy Being 3!

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Written by
Julia Cook and
Laura A. Jana, MD

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It’s Busy Being 3!

In one amazing day a child can show us so much.
Watch for new milestones every day.

Illustrated by
Allison Valentine

www.cdc.gov/AmazingMe

Written by
Julia Cook and Laura A. Jana, MD

To learn how AMAZING this book is, read here!
In this story, an amazing kangaroo named Joey shows all of the amazing things he can do
now that he is 3 years old. These amazing things are called developmental milestones.
First steps, first words, and using the potty for the first time are all developmental milestones.
Other developmental milestones, like the ones in this book, may not be as easy to see, but
they are just as important for your child’s development.
This book will show you what to look for as your child grows and develops. Ask your child
to find the koala bears. Each page with a koala bear
also has a star and milestone
at the bottom just for you.
See if your 3-year-old child is able to do some of the same things as Joey.
Also be sure to turn to the end of the book for:
3-year-old milestones,
tips about how you can help your child learn and grow, and
to find out where you can go for more information.
Happy reading!
Georgina Peacock, MD, MPH, Developmental Pediatrician

Katie K. Green, MPH, CHES, Health Communication Specialist

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1

Joey is the star of this story, but I’m Joey’s best pal, Bear!
I go with him almost everywhere.
Look for me in the story.
When you find me, it means Joey is showing one of
the AMAZING things he can do now that he is 3!

2

My name is Joey, and I am AMAZING.
I am 3 years old. That means I am one more than 2.
This is MY world…it’s very busy being 3! I’ve got lots of places to go
and people to see. I love my world because I am the star.

Milestone Moment: Joey shows one of a wide range of emotions.

3

Every day when I wake up, the first thing I do is get dressed.
I can put on my clothes all by myself, and I do an AMAZING job.
“It’s too cold to wear shorts when it’s snowing outside, and you shouldn’t wear
your cowboy boots without socks,” says my mom.

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Milestone Moment: Joey shows he can do more and more things on his own by dressing himself.

“Yes, I can!”
“I don’t think so…”
“But I’m a STAR!”
“Of course you are…”

“…and I’m your mom.
It’s my job to make sure
you wear the right clothes.
You need to dress warmly
from your head to your toes.”

5

This is my favorite hat. I love it so much
I never want to take it off. With my hat on, my
mom says I’m AMAZING…with a cherry on top!
My mom and dad tell me that when I grow up,
I can be anything I want to be. I must be
AMAZING because I can do that right now.

I can be a policeman.
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I can be an astronaut.

I can be a teacher.

Milestone Moment: Joey points to show others something interesting (age 18-month milestone).

I can be a doctor.

I can even be the KING!

When I am the King, my friend Bernice can be the Queen!
Milestone Moment: Joey plays make-believe.

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Some days, I get to play games with
my friends at preschool.
We like to play superheroes…

and hide-n-seek…

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Milestone Moment: Joey plays well with two or three children in a group (age 4 milestone).

…and house

…and tag.

I am AMAZING at playing games.
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When we play duck, duck, goose,
I REALLY love to be first.
“You can’t be first all the time,” says my teacher.

10

Milestone Moment: Joey is getting better at taking turns in games.

“Yes, I can!”
“I don’t think so…”
“But I’m a STAR!”
“Of course you are…”

“…and I’m your teacher.
It’s my job to teach you
how to play fair.
Let others be first, and
show them you care.”

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Today, we even got to use safety scissors at school.

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Milestone Moment: Joey practices using safety scissors (age 4 milestone) at school.

My teacher said I am
AMAZING at cutting.

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When my dad got home, I wanted to show him what I did.
“I don’t think you can reach that all by yourself,” said my dad.

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Milestone Moment: Joey points to show others something interesting (age 18-month milestone).

“Yes, I can!”
“I don’t think so…”
“But I’m a STAR!”
“Of course you are…”

“…and I’m your dad.
It’s my job to keep you safe
from all harm,
and climbing too high is
cause for alarm!
Let me get your picture
down for you.
I can’t wait to see what you’ve
learned how to do!”

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Guess what I can do?
I can make circles,
and I do an AMAZING job.

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Milestone Moment: Joey can copy a circle.

And I can read, too! I am an AMAZING reader.
Milestone Moment: Joey tells a story (age 4 milestone) while pretending to read.

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