Help Me Be Healthy: I am 4.
Help me learn to eat only when I’m hungry
I know if I am hungry or full. Let me stop eating when I have had enough. Don’t force me to eat or “clean my plate.”
I like to make some choices. You know what foods I need to be healthy. Offer them to me for meals and snacks. Let me choose which ones to eat.
Don’t worry if I don’t eat a meal or snack. I will eat more on some days than on others. Don’t beg me to eat or fix other foods for me. Do not let me eat unhealthy foods between meals.
Make our family meals relaxed
Let’s wash our hands together before and after we eat.
I like being your helper. I can put spoons, forks, and napkins on the table.
I feel proud when I sit and eat with our family. I can eat the same foods.
You are my favorite teacher! Show me how you eat many healthy foods. I will copy you!
I feel grown up when I serve myself. I will learn how much to take.
Please turn off all our TVs and cell phones so we can talk more and enjoy our food.
Offer me safe foods
Give me foods that are bite sized and easy enough for me to chew.
Stay close when I try foods I can choke on: raw hard vegetables, grapes, nuts, popcorn, dried fruits, hot dogs, and pieces of meat.
Cut grapes and hot dogs the long way. Spread peanut butter thinly on bread or crackers.
Teach me how foods help me grow and learn
Grains give me energy to grow and think.
Vegetables and fruits help my body fight germs and stay healthy.
Milk builds strong bones and teeth.
Meat and beans make strong blood and muscles.
Help me keep my teeth healthy
Take me to the dentist every 6 months.
Remind me to brush my teeth every morning and night. Then you brush them to be sure they are clean.
I still need a small toothbrush and a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure I spit out the toothpaste after brushing.
Please help me floss my teeth once a day to clean between them.
I’d like a new toothbrush that’s just for me. This is one thing I should not share.
Give me water to drink when I am thirsty.
