Around 43–45 months, many children feel like almost-four-year-old little hosts: they often chat in long, lively sentences, invent rules for games, plan who will play which role in pretend stories, and move with the confidence of someone who knows every corner of their home and favourite playground.

• By 43–45 months, many children eat the same basic meals as the family in child-sized portions and often enjoy sitting at the table, chatting about their day, and using a small fork or spoon with only a little help.
• Strong ideas about food are common at this age, such as wanting foods kept separate on the plate or asking for the same favourite meal again and again, so many parents simply keep offering a mix of familiar foods and small tastes of new ones without turning mealtimes into a struggle.
• Helping with simple jobs like washing fruit, tearing salad leaves, stirring safe mixtures, or helping to set the table can make children feel proud, build coordination, and sometimes increase their interest in trying what they helped to prepare.

• Many children around 43–45 months sleep mainly in one long stretch at night, and some still have a short nap or quiet rest in the day, while others manage the day without sleeping but may become very tired by late afternoon.
• A steady bedtime routine, such as a calm tidy-up, wash, pyjamas, a short story, and a cuddle, often helps children move from busy play to rest and gives them a clear signal that the day is ending.
• As imagination grows, some children talk more about dreams, monsters, or noises, and many families find that simple reassurance, a favourite comfort object, and calm, consistent responses help them settle again if they wake in the night.

• Between 43 and 45 months, many children use the potty or toilet in the daytime, while some still use nappies or pull-ups at night or during long journeys, and occasional accidents are still common, especially when they are busy or tired.
• Many children can tell you when they need to wee or poo, pause their play to go, and manage some steps like pulling clothes up or down with help, even though they still need support and reminders.
• 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 process feel ordinary and safe.

• Several short playtimes during the day, such as 5–10 minutes of building more complex block designs, matching and sorting games, simple board games with turns, or drawing people and shapes, give many chances to practise planning, problem-solving, and fine hand skills.
• Talking together through daily routines, naming what you see, counting everyday items like steps or pieces of fruit, chatting about colours and sizes, and sharing picture books for a few minutes at a time supports language, early number skills, memory, and listening.
• Daily active play, such as dancing to music, playing chase or ball games, jumping over small obstacles, following short action sequences like jump-clap-turn, or making up movement games for a few minutes at a time, helps build strength, balance, listening skills, and the joy of moving their growing body.

Sources

• CDC – Important Milestones: Your Child by 4 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.