4 years, 3 months old
Little Explorers in Action
Play ideas, a book, a song and a little encouragement for your 51 month old, from Maddie.
By Maddie, early childhood educator and Mum
5 min read · Updated
In this guide
Hello, wonderful parent!
At this age, every day; and honestly, every hour, can feel completely different. There is so much happening for your little one. Their thinking and language are exploding, their imagination is in full swing (with a little mix of storytelling… and the occasional “creative truth” 😅), and their social world is growing through friends, daycare, and play.
Their independence is strong; they can seem so grown up one minute… and then the next they’re climbing into your lap for a cuddle, reminding you they’re still so little. And those emotions? Still a big, big rollercoaster. Their world feels huge right now, so of course their feelings do too.
A gentle reminder: no matter how big and bold your four-year-old seems, your presence is what helps bring their world back to calm and manageable. You don’t need to do more, you’re already doing enough. Being with them, enjoying them, and learning alongside them gives them the safety to come back in close… before heading back out into their big world again.
Just reading this back, gave me a little “hold your breath” moment; especially after finishing our first school holidays. My eldest, who absolutely loved her first term, is now feeling a bit unsure about going back, after being reminded how special it is to just be home; with her sisters. It really hit me just how big her world feels right now; and how this need to come back in close, to feel safe and grounded, is so important at every age… even into the teenage years.
Here are some playful ideas to enhance those moments, naturally folded into your day. Remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect. Your presence is enough.
Activity 1: 🔊 Sound & Voice Play (Language + Listening + Creativity)
How: Turn your voices into a game! Take turns saying simple words, sounds, or short phrases (like animal noises, names, or “hello”) and play around with how you say them; loud, quiet, fast, slow, high-pitched, deep, whispering, or silly voices. You can add clapping or tapping to make rhythms, copy each other, or play a “follow the leader” game with sounds.
Why: This builds listening skills, rhythm, and early phonological awareness (the building blocks for reading). It also encourages confidence, creativity, and lots of laughter; perfect for this age where they love being playful with language.
Its a great one to play in the car, or at meal times (especially while serving up meals and the many different demands can come flying at you), just randomly sitting around together. Its also fun on walks, under tunnels or in the slide at the park, making for some great echos!
Activity 2: 🎈 Keepy Uppy (Gross Motor + Coordination)
How: Grab a balloon (or a soft ball) and see how long you can keep it in the air using your hands, feet, or even your head! You can play solo or together, counting your hits or trying to beat your last score. Add in challenges like “only use one hand” or “no hands!”
Why: This builds coordination, balance, and reaction time in a really fun, active way. You’ll probably notice how much their skills have improved since the last time you played; which is always so nice to see, but it’s just as fun (if not more!) as they get more confident and in control of their movements.
Song of the month: The Ants Go Marching
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching one by one,
The little one stops to suck his thumb
And they all go marching down…
To the ground…
To get out…
Of the rain! ☔
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two, hurrah, hurrah
The ants go marching two by two,
The little one stops to tie his shoe
And they all go marching down…
To the ground…
To get out…
Of the rain!
The ants go marching three by three…
The little one stops to climb a tree
The ants go marching four by four…
The little one stops to shut the door
The ants go marching five by five…
The little one stops to take a dive
The ants go marching six by six…
The little one stops to pick up sticks
The ants go marching seven by seven…
The little one stops to pray to heaven
The ants go marching eight by eight…
The little one stops to shut the gate
The ants go marching nine by nine…
The little one stops to check the time
The ants go marching ten by ten…
The little one stops to shout “THE END!” 🎉
This one is so much fun for 4-year-olds. Lots of repetition, counting, and chances to move your bodies along with it. You can stomp, march, whisper, or speed it up as you go! Its a great one to help those little legs when your out keep moving!
👉 It’s great for building rhythm, memory, and early counting skills, all while getting some energy out.
Book of the Month: The Invisible String – Patrice Karst
A beautiful, gentle story about how we’re always connected to the people we love; no matter where they are. It’s especially lovely for times of separation, worry, or big feelings.
👉 A really comforting read that can open up simple, meaningful conversations about love, connection, and feeling safe.
Did you know?
At this age, children are starting to understand humour in a whole new way; they’re not just laughing at silly things, they’re beginning to get the joke and even try to make their own.
That’s why you might notice more giggles, nonsense words, and playful teasing; it’s all part of their growing thinking and social skills.
Social & Emotional Tip
When big emotions come up, try naming what you see before jumping to fix it:
"That felt really frustrating didn’t it" or "You really wanted that to go your way."
Feeling understood often helps children calm much quicker than trying to solve the problem straight away.
Remember: Some days will feel full, loud, and a little chaotic; and others will feel slow and connected. Both are part of this stage. In all of it, it’s the small moments, sitting together, sharing a laugh, listening to their stories, that matter most. You’re right there with them as they grow, and that’s more than enough.