Garrett Hedlund Reveals What His Son Loves at This Stage in His Life (Exclusive)

Garrett Hedlund is amazed by how quickly his 4-year-old son, Rhodes, is growing up.

While attending the Tulsa King season 3 red carpet premiere at The Langham Hotel in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 16, Hedlund, 41, spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about his son’s experience at pre-kindergarten. 

The actor has been co-parenting Rhodes with his ex Emma Roberts since they split in January 2022.

“He’s in Pre-K. He loves it. All of the things,” Hedlund tells PEOPLE. “Today, he was petting two goats, Honeycomb and Daisy.”

The Tron star says that the educational fun his son is having at pre-kindergarten is helping him to develop quicker than he could ever imagine at this stage of life. 

“[He] gets to do that stuff with friends, socialize, learn the things that I didn’t think about teaching him right off the bat, like using the scissors,” Hedlund says.

“You know, I point at the highest tree and say ‘climb that,’ ” he continues. “Help me, help him take it step by step.”

The actor and Roberts, 34, welcomed their little boy in December 2020. The pair called it quits on their relationship shortly after celebrating Rhodes’ first birthday.

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Hedlund previously gave a glimpse into parenting their son during an appearance on the 3rd Hour of Today on Monday, Sept. 15.

“Oh man, I am wrapped around his finger like you won’t believe it,” he said, of the toddler.

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Hedlund went on to reveal that they’re making many sweet memories — but it’s all according to Rhodes’ schedule. 

“We just spent three hours at Hank’s Pumpkin Patch the other day,” Hedlund said. “I was trying to get him to go after about 45 minutes, cut to three hours later. And that’s just an example of every single day, me and him running around.”

Unfazed by the challenges of parenting, he added, “It’s the journey, adventure, risk, reward, all day long.”