The imagination years

3 to 4

Pretend play is serious cognitive work: two realities at once, other perspectives, social roles rehearsed.

The class for this period

Moments at this age

Situations you would recognize, and the pages that start from them. In the middle of one now? It’s hard right now gives a calm next step in two minutes.

A limit set off big feelings

Pushing a “no”, refusing, melting down over a boundary.

Limits without escalationGuide

I’m losing my patience

You’re the one running hot.

Regulating yourself firstGuide
When your own nervous system is the variableArticle

Something went sideways between us

You want to reconnect.

Repair after the hard momentGuide

Leaving somewhere fun

The playground, a friend’s house, the bath.

Leaving the playgroundLens

Wondering if something is typical

Talking, moving, a milestone that hasn’t come.

Milestone NavigatorTool

Deciding about screens

How much, what kind, and what it replaces.

Screens, language, and attentionGuide
Beyond “less is better”Guide
A short, honest take on screen timeArticle

Topics at this age

One thread at a time, for this period.

Behavior

Regulation

Leaving the playgroundLens
It’s hard right nowTool
Regulating yourself firstGuide
Self-regulation, brieflyArticle
When your own nervous system is the variableArticle

Also for this age

Ask the researchTool