3 years, 9 months old
Everyday Adventures in Creativity
Play ideas, a book, a song and a little encouragement for your 45 month old, from Maddie.
By Maddie, early childhood educator and Mum
4 min read · Updated
In this guide
Hello there, dear parent!
Here we are, stepping into another month of adventures. Your little one is full of curiosity, imagination, and growing independence. Every day brings new questions, creative ideas, and moments that will have you laughing out loud. They're eager to do more for themselves, test their limits, and make sense of the world around them. Through all the big feelings, endless chatter, and even the shoes and clothes that somehow never stay on, remember that you're doing an incredible job. The simple moments you share together are helping your child learn, grow, and feel deeply loved.
Here's what awaits you this month:
Activity: Real Tool Play (Hammering & Screwing)
How: Set up a sturdy cardboard base; fruit tray boxes, egg cartons, or solid boxes (without inner flaps work best). Provide a small, real hammer (child-sized if possible), nails, screws, and a screwdriver.
Show your child how to carefully hammer nails into the cardboard. They can enjoy the satisfaction of tapping them in, then pulling them out and starting again; using the same holes or creating new ones. Its actually amazing how long they will use the same box for.
Younger siblings can join in by pushing nails into existing holes or having a supported turn with the tools. It’s amazing how much they learn just by watching and following along.
Why:
💪 Builds hand strength and coordination
🎯 Develops focus, persistence, and control
🧠 Supports problem-solving and cause-and-effect learning
🌱 Builds confidence through using “real” tools and doing meaningful work
Hammering in particular is incredibly regulating; it provides deep, repetitive movement that many children find calming and satisfying.
Safety: Always supervise children closely when using tools. Show them how to hold and use the hammer safely, remind them to keep fingers clear, and choose soft materials such as cardboard, cork, or playdough if they are just beginning. The focus is on exploring and learning how tools work in a safe and supported way.
Activity 2: Puzzle Play
How: Offer a simple puzzle (20–40 pieces depending on your child) and work on it together to get started. Guide them by talking about what you can see; colours, shapes, and little details; then gradually sit back and let them take the lead.
Why:
🧠 Builds problem-solving and persistence
👀 Supports visual discrimination and attention to detail
💬 Encourages language and storytelling
💛 Creates opportunities for connection and shared focus
Puzzles at this age aren’t just about finishing them… it’s about the thinking, the trying, and the “I did it!” moments along the way ✨
Nursery Rhyme: Itsy Bitsy Spider
'The itsy bitsy spider climbed up the waterspout,
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain,
And the itsy bitsy spider climbed up the spout again.'
A timeless favorite, this rhyme is perfect for acting out with fingers, which they may be getting the hang of now! A playtime classic that never loses its sparkle!
Book of the Month: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
A beautiful adventure through swishy swashy grass and splashy water. Reading it is about sharing that rhythm and anticipation.
This story invites a shared journey, sparking imagination as you bear hunt together. Remember, any book will do, the reading experience is about the closeness and the shared adventure.
Did You Know?
Teaching children about risk doesn’t mean removing it, it means showing them how to manage it. When children use real tools or explore real objects (with support), they learn how to be careful, aware, and in control of their actions.
Rather than making things more dangerous, this actually helps them become safer over time; because they understand what their body can do, what tools can do, and how to use them responsibly 🤍
Social & Emotional Skill Building
At this age, your child is learning how to navigate friendships, fairness, and big feelings; often all at once. You might hear things like “That’s not fair!” or see moments of bossiness, frustration, or hurt feelings during play.
Instead of rushing to fix it, try staying close and guiding gently:
“You both want the same thing… what could we do?”
Supporting them to work through small conflicts helps build empathy, problem-solving, and confidence in social situations. They won’t get it right every time; but being there to guide them is what helps it all start to click 🤍
Remember: It’s not about doing it perfectly; it’s about the joy and connection you create together.
Your presence, your laughter, your “let’s see what happens next…”; all of it nourishes their growth. You’re doing beautifully.