Parenting at Mealtime & Playtime
Parent Handout – 4 Years
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Fast Facts:
- Meals include all 5 food groups, have regular meal times
- Offer a variety of textures, flavors, and colors
- Serve vegetables first when your child is most hungry
- Avoid drinks with added sugar
- Offer milk at mealtime
- Water first for thirst between meals
- Trust your child’s appetite and limit snacking between meals
- Serve small portions, your preschooler should eat the same food as the family
- Focus on variety-offer a variety of textures, flavors, and colors
- Comfort and reward your child with hugs and words
- Do not use food as a comfort, reward or bribe
- Pack healthy snacks when on the go, like cut up vegetables and fruit
Videos:
How to Handle an Already Established Picky Eater – Dina Rose, PhDTeaching Children to be Good Tasters – Dina Rose, PhDWays to Positively Impact a Child’s Diet – Dina Rose, PhD
4 Years Old: Nutrition Tips
Resources:
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Fast Facts:
- At least one hour of active play per day: riding a bike, skipping, dancing, jumping and running are all great activities
- Free play is important – play outside whenever possible
- Play as part of a family routine
- Limit screen time – no screens in child’s room
- Children at this age should engage in cooperative play – Allow your child to play in small groups with children his/her age
- Let your child’s imagination create play – provide opportunities for unstructured play
- As your child’s hand-eye coordination improve, so will their ability to catch and kick
Videos:
4 Years Old: Play
Resources:
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Fast Facts:
- Playing with others will help your child understand sharing and teamwork
- Give them variety for play: hoops, balls, beanbags and scarves to throw and catch
- Continue to foster cooperative play – allow your child to play in small groups with children his/her age
- Have your child copy you and hop on one foot
- Eat family meals at the table, share what you are eating and encourage conversations
- Make mealtime fun – a messy mealtime is to be expected
- Encourage them to explore with all 5 senses
- Walking with your child is your chance to talk
- Help your child build fine motor skills by creating art, teaching them to print, or playing games and puzzles
- Read to your child daily
- Sleeps 11-13 hours daily
Videos:
How to Handle an Already Established Picky Eater – Dina Rose, PhDWays to Positively Impact a Child’s Diet – Dina Rose, PhD
Common Myths Among Parents – Dina Rose, PhD4 Years Old: Nutrition Tips
Family Meal TimeFamily Play Time
Healthy Sleep Habits: Getting Ready for Nap
Little Helpers
Child-Friendly Activities
Reading to Your Child
Resources:
Active Play Everyday – Tips for Parents and Caregivers – A Handout
