Approaches to learning

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When it comes to learning, four-year-olds are developing greater self-control and ingenuity. Their pretend play is more complex and imaginative and can be sustained for longer periods. They can also make plans and complete tasks. Four-year-olds want to try new experiences. They also want to be more self-reliant and seek to expand the areas of their lives where they can be independent decision-makers.

Initiative, engagement and persistence

• Further expands areas of decision-making. For example, child may say, ‘This morning I'm going to work on my Lego building’.
• Has an increased ability to focus attention and can ignore more distractions and interruptions. For example, at preschool, can focus on a drawing even when other children are nearby; might say, ‘I'll play with you later. I want to finish this’.
• Is increasingly able to complete tasks, even those that are longer-term and less-concrete (keeping track of the days until next birthday on a calendar). Has greater ability to set goals and follow a plan. For example, child says, ‘I'm going to pick up all these branches’, and then works until it is done.
• Increasingly makes independent choices and shows self-reliance (chooses clothes, feeds and dresses self).

Curiosity and eagerness to learn

• Asks to participate in new experiences that child has observed or has heard of others participating in; for example, says, ‘Jack goes fishing. Can I?’
• Asks questions about future events, as well as about the here and now; for example, asks, ‘When will we go to Sarah's house again?’
• Starts to show more enthusiasm for learning letters, shapes and numbers. For example, while looking at a book with dad, points to a word that contains the letter ‘S’ and says, ‘S! That's in my name! What is that word?’

Reasoning and problem-solving

• More flexible and able to draw on varied resources in solving problems (e.g. tries to build a large structure with blocks, but the building keeps falling down; after several failed attempts, child tries making a larger base; may also look at how other children have made their buildings).
• Seeks help from both adults and peers and has a greater understanding of the kind of help that may be needed. For example, says, ‘Can you hold this end of the string for me, so I can tie this?’
• Grows in ability to understand abstract concepts, especially when thinking is supported by physical interaction with materials (systematically pours sand into measuring cups, then looks at and comments on amounts).

Invention and imagination

• Engages in more sustained and complex pretend play (creates a long scenario with several other children, taking a pretend trip with many stops). Expands the roles acted out in pretend play. Is less dependent on realistic props.
• Offers creative, unusual ideas about how to do a task, how to make something, or how to get from one place to another. For example, says, ‘I've got a great idea! Let's walk backwards to the kitchen!’

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