Around 40–42 months, many children feel like almost–four-year-old thinkers: they may chat in little stories, plan what game to play next, run and climb with confidence, enjoy simple rule-based games, and ask many questions as their memory, imagination, and social skills become more grown-up.

• By 40–42 months, many children eat the same basic meals as the rest of the family, in child-sized portions, and often like to sit at the table, use a small fork or spoon, and drink from an open cup with only a little help.
• They may have strong likes and dislikes, such as preferring foods that look familiar or wanting things served in a certain way, so many parents keep offering a mix of trusted favourites and small tastes of new foods without turning mealtimes into a battle.
• Letting children help with simple tasks, like washing fruit, tearing salad leaves, or choosing between two snack options, can make them feel proud and more willing to explore different foods.

• Many children around 40–42 months still need a long stretch of sleep at night, and some also have a short daytime nap or a quiet rest period, although nap needs can vary a lot at this stage.
• A steady bedtime pattern, such as a calm tidy-up, wash, pyjamas, a simple story, and a cuddle, often helps children move from active play to sleep and gives a clear signal that the day is ending.
• As imagination grows, some children talk more about dreams, shadows, or noises, and gentle reassurance, a familiar comfort object, and calm, consistent responses can help them feel safe if they wake in the night.

• Between 40 and 42 months, some children are fully using the potty or toilet in the daytime, some still use nappies or pull-ups at night, and others are still practising, so there can be a wide range of toileting stages.
• Many children can tell you when they need to wee or poo, pause their play, or rush to the toilet or potty, but accidents are still common, especially when they are tired, busy, or in a new place.
• Simple, calm routines around toileting, such as sitting on the potty or toilet, wiping with help, flushing, and washing hands, along with plenty of praise for trying, can support confidence and make the whole process feel ordinary and safe.

• Several short playtimes during the day, such as 5–10 minutes of building with blocks, sorting objects by colour or size, matching pictures, or doing simple jigsaw puzzles, give many chances to practise thinking skills and hand control.
• Talking together throughout the day, naming what you see, counting everyday items like steps or toy cars, and sharing picture books for a few minutes at a time helps build language, memory, and early number skills in a relaxed way.
• Daily active games, such as dancing to music, playing simple chasing or ball games, jumping over a cushion, or following short “jump, clap, spin” sequences for a few minutes at a time, support strength, balance, listening, and the joy of moving their growing body.

Sources

• CDC – Developmental Milestones: 3 Years
• UNICEF – Early childhood development from 3 to 4 years
• NHS – Child development at 3 to 4 years
• WHO – Nurturing care for early childhood development

This content is general information only and is not medical advice. If you are worried about your baby, contact your midwife, health visitor, paediatrician, or local emergency service.