Preschool (3-5 Years)
At this stage, youngsters develop tastes for their favorite foods. Picky eaters can be obstinate about their food likes and dislikes. This is the ideal time to establish lifelong healthy nutritional habits. Be persistent. Studies show that it can take between 10 and 15 tastes of a food before a child accepts it or likes it.
Since birth, your child’s height and weight have been charted and compared to national growth norms of children the same age (by percentile) at well-baby checkups. The preschool years are a time when a growing number of youngsters are first identified as overweight. A child’s body mass index (BMI) can flag future obesity.
If your child receives this diagnosis, WellStar’s pediatric and nutritionist team can help your entire family successfully manage this condition. Efforts to change eating habits often include other family members, too. Children with overweight parents are at an elevated risk of becoming overweight. WellStar can give you guidelines to adopt healthier foods, physical activities, and appetites for winning the food fight for life.
Milestones
Preschool-age children can be busy, opinionated dynamos. Whether they express a preference for a beloved toy or a particular color (e.g. all pink), three to five year-olds are growing their intellect and motor skills and social independence. At age three, kids are tackling the following milestones. At age five, they’re masters.
Physical Skills
- Climbs well
- Bends over without falling
- Walks up and down stairs, alternating feet
- Kicks ball and runs easily
- Pedals tricycle
Social Skills
- Imitates adults and playmates
- Shows affection for familiar playmates
- Takes turns in games
- Understands "mine" and "his”/ “hers"
Cognitive Skills
- Makes mechanical toys work
- Plays make believe
- Sorts objects by shape and color
- Completes age-appropriate puzzles