"Now I'm Three and I Know …"

A Preschool Poem, by C.J. Heck

Now I'm Three and I Know …
A Preschool Poem, by C.J. Heck

Years ago, I saved a compilation of little ‘true-isms’ said to me by each of the little darlings in my life during the year they were three. I literally saved piles of them in notebooks.

It all started with my three daughters when each of them turned three. Then with each of my eleven grandchildren, I was able to save even more

Each little ’true-ism’ they came up with was probably realized by making the mistake first and spending time in the ‘naughty chair’. That’s where they learned what they did, or said, was not a good idea. 

I’ve always loved the words and phrases toddlers use to describe what it’s like in their world.  What’s especially colorful is when they don’t know the name for something, and they make one up to fit the situation.

“Me don’t wike the naughty chair! It’s … GUNKY!”

I decided to put some of my saved three year-old ‘True-isms’ into a poem for the newest book I was working on, "Me Too! Preschool Poetry".

I tried my best (between giggles) to put them in the poem so they would rhyme. It’s also from a child’s point of view. I hope you enjoy!

Please read aloud in your best ‘three-year old’ voice, especially the long run-on sentence, because that’s the way it was said to me ...

Now I'm Three and I Know …
A Read Aloud Preschool Poem
by C.J. Heck

I know never touch fire —that's HOT,
but I can touch ice, 'cause it's not,
and puppies are soft and kitties are too,
so's most of the stuff mom and dad give to you.

I know, never tell people they're fat,
it will hurt them if I do that,
and rocks aren't for throwing at others
but it's okay to throw pillows at brothers.

I know daddy says swears I can't say,
and I have to wear clothes out to play,
'cause one time I went outside naked and Mrs. Johnson saw me and she called Mommy and Mommy came outside and got mad and she yelled at me and I had to sit in the naughty chair for a whole time out and …

… I know cookies smell better than cheese,
and to get one, I have to say "please".
I know always go pee in the potty,
but not in my pants, 'cause that's naughty.

I know flowers don't needs any feet,
and no dessert if I don't eat my meat.
I know I got to blow boogers in tissue,
and don't wipe off where ladies kiss you.

When I wake mommy up, never holler!
And pennies aren’t more than a dollar,
and scissors are never for cutting my hair,
the barber does that, (but I hate going there).

I laugh 'cause it's better than cry,
and you can't squeeze a worm, it will die.
My daddy will laugh if I'm burping,
and Mommy's kiss helps where I’m hurting.

I know SO many things, now I'm three,
and this stuff helps ME be a good ME.
I know lots more than I did when I'm two.
It’s all stuff I can do and I can't do!

Bye-Bye.

[From the book, "Me Too! Preschool Poetry", by CJ Heck]

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