3 years, 8 months old
Little Minds, Big Imaginations
Play ideas, a book, a song and a little encouragement for your 44 month old, from Maddie.
By Maddie, early childhood educator and Mum
5 min read · Updated
In this guide
Hello there, wonderful parent!
As we move into month 44, you might find yourself amazed at the vivid stories and imaginative worlds your little one is creating. Their curiosity is really blossoming now; full of questions, ideas, and little moments that catch you off guard in the best way. Life with a nearly four-year-old can feel a bit unpredictable, but it’s also full of magic.
One thing I keep coming back to is following their lead. They spend so much time following us, so when they can, letting them take the lead (especially for what's most important to them; their play) it not only makes things easier; it gives them the best kind of learning.
We went through a phase of going to the skate park a lot. Some days they’d scooter, other days they wouldn’t touch them at all; just watching others, climbing, sliding, or sitting and eating. It was hard not to encourage them to do what we’d planned, but its their time, why did it matter if they scootered or not, they know what they need from their play. And on those days, they were still getting alot from the morning, just different things. And they always have a lot more fun, following their own interests than if I'd kept encouraging to scooter.
Here's few ideas to support those little journeys. No pressure, no expectations, and they can lead wherever your little ones wants them to go; just simple ways to meet them where they’re at 🤍
Activity 1: Simple Board Game Fun
How: Introduce simple games like memory, snap, or a basic version of snakes and ladders. Sit together and play, keeping the rules light and flexible; at this age, it’s more about learning how to play and take turns than getting it “right.”
You can:
Turn over cards together in memory (still taking turns, but if they remember a picture you need, encourage the team work, share the wins and the losses.
Play snap with open hands and lots of excitement.
Make your own simple snakes and ladders board, rolling the dice and moving the pieces around the board.
Take turns, model the play, and let them lead when they’re ready.
Why:
These early games build so much more than you might think:
🧠 Memory and concentration
🔄 Turn-taking and patience
💛 Learning to win, lose, and keep going
💬 Language and connection through shared play
Special Edition:
Try drawing a long snake outside with chalk, adding squares and numbers along its body. Roll a dice and move yourself along the snake from one end to the other. It’s a fun, simple way to turn a classic game into something that gets the whole body moving! 🐍🎲 We recently played this again, after a couple rounds, to spice it up we added some "snakes and ladders" in between the squares. It definitely made the game a little more interesting!
Activity 2: Somersaults & Rolling Fun
How: Find a soft space (grass, mat, or carpet) and encourage your child to try somersaults, log rolls, or sideways “roly-polys.” You can model a gentle somersault or help guide them, then let them explore their own ways of moving, rolling to a finish line, down a slight hill, or back and forth across the space, you may even see the start of some cartwheels.
Why:
At this age, they need big movement. The more you can say “yes” to rolling, spinning, jumping, and crashing (safely), the more regulated and settled they often feel after ✨ it also
💪 Builds core strength and coordination
💫 Supports balance and body awareness
🧠 Helps children understand how their body moves in space
😄 A great way to release big energy
Nursery Rhyme: The Grand Old Duke of York
"Oh, the grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men,
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
And he marched them down again.
And when they were up, they were up,
And when they were down, they were down,
And when they were only halfway up,
They were neither up nor down."
Re-energize a rainy day with a marching parade around the living room. Get them marching up and crouching down to march, exploring different ways to move, they bigger and louder the marching the funnier the song.
Children of all ages can be part of every song. If there are younger siblings, you can hold them, bounce them on your knee, march around together, or let them enjoy some tummy time while they watch and listen to their older sibling; their little icon. They’re taking it all in, and thriving because of it 🤍
Book of the month: Classic Fairy Tales ✨
This week is a little different; because sometimes the best “book” doesn’t even need to be in your hands. As children grow, stories can be told just as much as they are read, and classic fairy tales are
perfect for this.
Whether it’s Goldilocks, The Three Little Pigs, or Little Red Riding Hood, these familiar stories can be as calm or as animated, as simple or complicated as you like; whispered at bedtime, acted out with big voices and gestures within play, or as entertainment on a long road trip.
The more they hear them, the more your child will start to join in; finishing sentences, adding ideas, and even retelling the story themselves.
If you have older children, they may love to help tell the story or pick you up on "mistakes" like when the big bad pig, blows the wolfs house down.
It’s a beautiful reminder that storytelling isn’t just about books… it’s about connection, imagination, and sharing something together 🤍
Did You Know?
Telling familiar fairy tales helps build the foundations for reading and writing. As your child listens, joins in, and eventually retells the story, they’re learning how stories flow- beginning, middle, and end.
Those repeated, well-loved tales make it easier for them to predict, remember, and create their own stories… all from simply sharing a story together ✨
Social & Emotional Skill Building
Try asking, “What happens next?” as your child shares their stories or daily adventures with you. This tiny invitation lets them explore outcomes and possibilities, nurturing both their creative thinking and emotional expression.
These little exchanges show them that their ideas matter; a vital step in building confidence and communication.
✨ Remember
Your little one doesn’t need an extravagant adventure to feel connected. What they cherish most is your warm voice, patient ears, and the gentle magic of being fully present; even when your both doing separate things.
Each story, each snuggle, each playful march around the room is a layer of love and security they carry with them.
You’re doing beautifully, and your presence is, as always, the greatest gift.