4 years, 9 months old
Little Explorers, Big Discoveries
Play ideas, a book, a song and a little encouragement for your 57 month old, from Maddie.
By Maddie, early childhood educator and Mum
6 min read · Updated
In this guide
Hello, wonderful parent!
Your getting closer and closer to that big 5 year old birthday! They most likely know what they want, and will eagerly share it with you, there voices, opinions and ideas may be big, but they can still seem so small, and still need you to be their rock, maybe more now than ever! It's a busy and incredible time, full of little discoveries, so much learning and a lot of chaos.
The last almost five years of parenting… it’s a lot when you stop and think about it, when you look back on all the photos and videos. And can't believe they use to look like that, or how you can't believe you thought it was hard when they were just a little lump that didn't need very much. Everyday is such a wonderful, crazy whirlwind.
You might have a child who now heads off to bed on their own, or one who still needs a long cuddle, a few extra stories, and a slow wander off to sleep. They might even still end up in your bed (we all are over here!). Whatever season you’re in; it can be beautiful and exhausting, simple and complicated, all at once.
One thing I’ve found over these years is how important community is. The moments I’ve opened up, whether about struggles or wins; and heard “oh my gosh, same here,” have always made everything feel lighter. Because sometimes parenting can feel strangely isolating, like you’re the only one in it… even though so many of us are walking a very similar path.
I really hope you’ve found that kind of community; whether it’s friends you met early on, people from the park or daycare, or even your own family.
And I also hope, in some small way, these newsletters have felt like a little piece of that for you too 💛
We might be coming up to the last few emails, but we still have so many activities to explore! Here are a couple for you for this month!
Activity 1🎭 Put On a Show!
How: Children love to perform, so let them! Invite your child to put on a “show” of their choosing. It could be a dance, a puppet show, a magic trick, a singing performance, or a mix of everything.
Help them set the scene if they want:
a “stage” (a rug, a space in the room, or outside area)
a few props (dress-ups, toys, scarves, boxes)
a chair or blanket for the audience (that’s you!)
Then step back and let them lead. Sit, watch, clap, and enjoy. You might get a full performance, a quick 30 second act, or a shy little peek around the corner, which a change of heart; all is normal.
If they need a little support, you can gently prompt:
“What’s your show about?”
“Do you need any music?”
You may need to participate, but try to keep it theirs. Even though its only you, once they get up to do the show, they can feel the pressure, and not be sure of what to actually do. If they change their mind, go with it, maybe next time, they will peek out that little but further.
Why: This kind of play builds confidence and self-expression, supports language and storytelling, encourages creativity and imagination, helps them make sense of their world through role play
And just as important; it gives them that feeling of being seen.
Sometimes all they really want… is someone to sit, watch, and clap 💛
Pattern Play: Make It, Build It, Draw It
Sometimes, after a transition, like getting home from the park or finishing TV time, children can find it hard to decide what to do next. Giving them space to figure it out is valuable, but sometimes a simple invitation to play together can help them get started. Easy activities like this create opportunities for connection with minimal effort and often spark imaginative play that naturally grows in many different directions.
How: "lets make a pattern" Start by making simple patterns together using whatever you have; blocks, beads, leaves, cars, or even snacks.
Try: Red, blue red; big, small, big, small; apple, apple, orange, apple, apple
Lay them out and say the pattern aloud, then pause and ask "what comes next?" Continue to build and play with different patterns.
Once they have had a play with building patterns, invite them to draw their pattern.
They might copy what they made… or create a whole new one on paper.
Why: Patterns are one of the first building blocks of maths. As your child creates and explores patterns, they're developing problem-solving skills, learning to recognise sequences, and making connections through hands-on play. Keep it fun and relaxed; there's no right or wrong way to do it. Whether they make a pattern, sort the pieces, line them up, or mix them all together, they're learning through play.
Follow their lead and enjoy the rhythm of it together 💛
Song of the Month: If You’re Happy and You Know It
Lyrics:
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands 👏👏
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands 👏👏
If you’re happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands 👏👏
A classic for a reason; simple, fun, and perfect for getting everyone moving and joining in.
Try this with your almost 5-year-old:
Let them take the lead and make up their own actions; it can be a great one to help explore different emotions, IF YOU GRUMPY AND YOU KNOW IT..." or just a fun one to do different actions if your happy! 💛
📚 Book of the Month: The Dot- Peter H. Reynolds
Why we love it: This simple but powerful story follows a little girl who thinks she can’t draw… until one small dot changes everything. It’s all about confidence, creativity, and giving things a go, perfect for little ones learning to trust their own ideas.
There are millions and millions of books out there, with more being created all the time. These are just little recommendations along the way. What matters most isn’t which book you read, it’s that you’re reading together.
Did You Know?
Patterns are more than just pretty repetition; they're building blocks for math skills. Recognizing and creating patterns can boost early math thinking, enhancing your child's ability to understand order and sequence in a way that feels like play. Isn't it fascinating how much they learn in these seemingly simple moments?
Social & Emotional Skill Building
As your child’s creations (drawings, paintings, buildings, etc) come to life, invite them to tell you about their work.
Ask open-ended questions:
“Can you tell me about this part of your drawing?”
“How did you build this?"
"What is this part of your building used for?"
Letting them explain gives them a chance to practice storytelling, which nurtures their confidence and verbal skills. It’s also a beautiful way to acknowledge their efforts, making them feel valued and heard.
Remember, you’re not just getting through the day, you’re nurturing a curious, brilliant little mind, one adventure at a time.
Your presence and warmth are more than enough.
You’re doing beautifully.