Help Me Be Healthy: I am 3
I will learn to like most foods.
You decide what healthy foods to offer me. I decide which of these to eat, and how much.
I can serve myself if you hold the bowl for me. I know how much I want. I might ask for more.
Please let me decide when I have had enough. Don’t force me to eat or make me “clean my plate.”
Offer me foods I like along with a new food. I might need to see the new food 10 times before I try it. I change my mind a lot. I may like a food one day and not the next. This is how I learn about new foods.
Make our family meals relaxed
Do not use food to reward or punish me. If you say I will get ice cream if I am good, I will want a treat all the time. These words are the best rewards: “I am proud of you!” “You did a good job!”
I am learning every day! Teach me the names of foods. Talk about their shapes, colors, and tastes. I can learn where different foods come from.
I need to sit down while I eat or drink. Let me sit in my booster seat at the table. I can eat most foods you do.
Give me a small spoon or fork and a small plate and cup.
Let’s wash our hands together before and after we eat.
Offer me safe foods
Give me foods that are bite sized and soft enough for me to chew easily.
Don’t give me foods that I can choke on: hard raw vegetables like carrots, spoonfuls of peanut butter, chips, nuts, popcorn, dried fruits, chunks of meat, or hard candy.
Please cut grapes and hot dogs the long way, and spread peanut butter thinly on bread.
Keep me safe and healthy
Take me to the doctor for my checkup. Ask how I am growing, and if I need a lead test.
Keep me away from tobacco smoke, matches, and lighters.
Put sunscreen on me when I play outside.
Buckle me into my child safety seat when I ride in a car
Help me have healthy teeth
Don’t give me sugary drinks and food. They can give me cavities.
Help me brush my teeth in the morning and before I go to bed at night.
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure I spit out the toothpaste.
Please floss my teeth once a day to clean between them.
Take me to the dentist twice a year to make sure my teeth are healthy.
