Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

How many blocks should a 3-year-old typically be able to stack?

1. 3 blocks

2. 6 blocks

3. 9 blocks

4. 12 blocks

The correct answer is: 6 blocks

A 3-year-old typically has the motor skills and cognitive development necessary to stack about six blocks. At this age, children are refining their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which allows them to manipulate objects with greater precision. Stacking blocks is an important developmental milestone, showcasing not only motor skills but also cognitive skills such as spatial awareness and planning. The ability to stack this number of blocks also reflects the child’s understanding of balance and gravity. While younger children might only manage to stack three blocks due to limited skills, a 3-year-old is better equipped to add to that with practice. This ability to stack six blocks indicates growth in coordination and cognitive development, making this answer consistent with typical developmental benchmarks for children around this age.