Helping 4 Year Olds Understand Moving

They really won't understand because they have no experience with moving. Also "out of state" means nothing to a 4 year old because they don't know geography.

Get a wooden puzzle of the 50 states and do it with them regularly. Have them recognize AZ and your new home state (as well as the states of other friends and family), so they can start to see that they are in different places.

There are lots of kids books about moving. Talk to the children's librarian and get a few to bring home.

Ultimately, they'll get it when it happens.

HTH
T.

It's only June and you're moving in December. I wouldn't even begin to talk about it until it's much closer to the time; say November. Can you even be sure that you'll actually move?

I would get the puzzle for the U.S. That would be fun for both of you.

Just pack their stuff and take them with. They'll get it eventually. It's not something they need to understand.
We are moving to a new place because " " Whatever the easy explanation is-- Dad needs to go there for work, or we need to be closer to Grandma, whatever the reason is it cant be too complicated unless you are going into the witness protection program, if that's the case I'm sure the cops will school you on what to say.

Hit the library or bookstore. There is a Bearenstein Bears moving day book. There are probably many other books that could be helpful. Just ask the librarian. You don't even have to join, you could just take them and read it there, then maybe buy it at a bookstore so you can have it at home

Here's the video on youtube (it's badly done, but might be helpful).

Also, google talking to your child/preschooler about moving. There will be a lot of helpful tips.

It depends on why you are asking this question. If it's because you want them to understand the move, 4 year olds cannot understand the passage of months or the movement between states. No amount of explanation can help what one is not developmental ready to understand.

As you get much closer to the move, reading books about moving could be very helpful. Until then, talk about it only as necessary.

"Mom, why are you packing boxes?" Because we're moving to a new house.
"Mom, now?" No, honey, after school starts and then Halloween and then Thanksgiving! It's a long time away. I'll let you know when it happens!
"Mom, after we move, can we still live here????" All my best with that one!