3 years, 1 month old
Another Month of Curiosity!
Play ideas, a book, a song and a little encouragement for your 37 month old, from Maddie.
By Maddie, early childhood educator and Mum
5 min read · Updated
In this guide
Hello there, thoughtful parent!
Can you believe we are already at another month! Your little one is full of wonder and their curiosity is boundless. Lately, you might notice their fascination with how things work (like the continuous 'why?' phase), along with more focus during play. Giving them time, space, and pondering a tricky question with them is all you need to foster and invite that curiosity.
Children ask wonderful questions, and it can feel like we need to have all the answers ready. But the truth is, they don’t need us to know everything. Sometimes the answer is too big or complex for them to fully understand anyway. What matters more is that their question is heard and valued. Wondering together, asking them what they think, or exploring the idea side by side helps children learn how to think, not just what to think. When we nurture their questions instead of rushing to answer them, we help grow curious minds. And curious kids grow into curious adults.
Here are a couple simple but powerful responses to far out questions:
"That's a great question, I hadn't thought of that before"
"What do you think?"
"I'm not sure, lets find out together."
Amidst the beautiful chaos of everyday life, remember that it's in the seemingly ordinary moments that extraordinary connections are born. A gentle reminder: there's no rush, just enjoy the journey as it unfolds. 🧡
This little newsletter is here with ideas, not expectations. It's full of simple activities and shared moments to explore whenever you feel like it. You're already doing so much just by being there; little ideas like these are just the cherry on top.
Activity 1: ✂️ Free Cutting Station
How: Pop out scrap paper, old magazines, or junk mail and children scissors.
No lines, no rules; just cutting, snipping, experimenting.
👉 Builds: creativity, hand strength, independence
👉 Try saying: “Show me what you’re making” instead of directing
Why: This builds the hand control they will use for writing and drawing later. Plus, having a focused cutting session can be a surprisingly calming activity for both of you.
Extension: Add a glue stick or some tape and they will love sticking the pieces they have cut back onto some other paper or even back together! This will build on their creativity and may send them into a wonderful flow of collaging.
Activity 2: Risky Play: Swing, Spin & Climb
Why: At 3, children are wired to seek movement that feels a little bit “risky”… and that’s a good thing. Swinging, spinning and climbing help build balance, coordination and body awareness, while also teaching children to judge risk (“Is this too high?” “Can I hold on?”). These experiences grow confidence, resilience and problem-solving, and often result in the biggest smiles.
How: Create a simple “movement station” at home using what you already have:
A sheet tied over a sturdy branch
Spin time on an office chair
Cushion climbing over the couch or soft obstacles
Hold hands and give them a gentle side-to-side swing
Keep it low, stay close, and let them lead the challenge.
Instead of “be careful”, try:
“Do you feel steady?”
“Hold on tight"
A little reminder: Risky play doesn’t mean dangerous play. It’s about giving children small, manageable challenges where they can test their limits safely, with you nearby as their calm, confident guide.
Children can get a lot of this play from your local playground, but I have always found it so good for them to have a space at home. It can help them regulate themselves, and they just love it!
We put up a simple ceiling hook and hung a hammock from it, attaching both ends to the same point to create a gentle, droopy swing. It’s perfect for spinning, swinging, wrapping up like a cocoon, or “flying” through the air. It gets used everyday, but is so easy to set up and take down when it isn't needed (especially as it is in a walkway.
Song of the month🎵 Swing, Spin, Little Me 🎵
Swing, swing, little me,
Back and forth like the sea 🌊
Higher, lower, nice and slow,
Ready…steady…off we go!
Spin, spin, round and round,
Feet up high, off the ground!
Faster, slower, wheee so fun,
Stop… oh wait… I’m not quite done!
Climb up high, reach the sky,
“I can do it!” hear me cry
Careful hands and steady feet,
Look at me, I did it, neat!
This is a fun one to sing while they swing, spin or climb, pausing for dramatic effect before "off we go" or "spin" for extra excitement.
Book of the Week: Belinda- Pamela Allen
A fun and silly book about a cow that only likes to be milked by her owner, but when she goes away for the week, her partner Old Tom is left in charge, will he be able to get the job done?
Pamela Allen has so many wonderful books, which children love! But the book itself doesn't matter as much as the connection. Any and every time of the day is the right time to read a book. And its such a simple lovely way to just reconnect and be with your little one.
Did You Know?
Using scissors isn't just fun; it's a workout! Cutting strengthens the same muscles your child will need later for pencil control. Every little snip is a step in their creative and physical development.
Social & Emotional Skill Building
Offer open-ended choices and let your child take the lead:
“Would you like to cut this… or make your own shapes?”
Rather than focusing on getting it “right,” allow them to explore, create, and decide what their work looks like. Following their process (instead of the end product) builds confidence, independence, and a strong sense of “I can do this.” It’s in these small moments that children learn their ideas matter 💛
✨ Remember
In these small, everyday moments, you are helping shape their understanding of the world. It's not about reaching an endpoint, or giving all the answers but rather about each step along the way, taken together.
Thank you for being present. In the ordinary moments and the extraordinary ones, you are enough, and you're doing beautifully. 💛