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Child's Growth and Development Month by Month Topics..

Newborn's Growth and Development (0 to 6 months)

Baby's Growth and Development (7 to 12months)

Toddler's Growth and Development (1 to 3 years)

Preschooler's Growth and Development 3 to 5 year

Kid's Growth and Development (5 to 9 years)

Pre-Teen's Growth and Development (9 to 12 years

Teenager's Growth and Development (12 to 15 year

You are here : home > Child's Growth and Development Month by Month > Preschooler's Growth and Development 3 to 5 year > 3 Years, 12-Month-Old Preschooler's Development (4 Years Old)

3 Years, 12-Month-Old Preschooler's Development (4 Years Old)

Yourpreschoolerhasturnedfournow.Discipliningyourpreschoolerandofferingnutritiousdiethelpsinhealthygrowthanddevelopment.Learnaboutthegoodhabityoumustencourageforkeepingyourpreschoolerhealthyanddisciplined.Itissimplyamazingthatyourpreschoolerisagrown-upchildnow.Youweresobusywithyourlittleone;youneverknewwhentimeflied.Herstringsshallstartlooseningnowandsheshallassertherindependenceeverywhere.Youmighthaveplentyofquestionsregardingherdevelopmentthismonth.Herewehaveattemptedtoanswersomeofthemforyou.Readalongforsomeinterestinginformation:InthisarticleBehaviouralPatternsofa4YearOldChildDiscipliningyourPreschoolerTakeCareofPreschoolerâ€™sOralHealthEatingPatternsofaPreschoolerTeachingTableMannerstoPreschoolersBehaviouralPatternsofa4YearOldChildHereweshalltakealookatsomeofherbehaviouralpatterns:Sheshalllovethecompanyofherplaymates.Youmayalsofindherbusywithherimaginaryfriends.Thereisnoneedtoworry,asthisisabsolutelynormal.Shewilllovewatchingthetelevision,butyouneedtorestrictherviewingtime.However,youmayencouragehertowatchtheeducationalprogramsthatshallaidherfurthergrowthanddevelopment.Youmayfindhermorecuriousaboutherbodypartsthanbefore.Sheshallshowherdesireforprivacyslowlynow.Youmustrespectherprivacy.Ifyouareexpectingthearrivalofanewborn,youmustprepareherforthearrival.Youcanencouragehertopreparethenurseryandgetclothesanddiapersstackedforthenewone.Makesuretopraiseherforalltheeffortssheputsin.DiscipliningyourPreschoolerYoumustbeconsistentandfirminthiscase.Praisingherforhisgoodaccomplishmentsshallencourageherfurther.Isolationandignorancearethetwoâ€œIâ€sthatyoushouldbeusingwhilediscipliningher.Itisbettertoavoidspankingorshoutingather.Makeherunderstandtheconsequenceswhenrulesarebroken.Incaseyouareconcernedaboutherbehaviour,youcanhaveatalkwithyourdoctor.TakeCareofPreschoolerâ€™sOralHealthYoumustencouragehertobrushtwicedaily.Youmustalsotakehertothedentistforherscheduledcheckups.Ifsheisstillintothehabitofthumbsucking,itistimeyouhelphercomeoutofit.Useofpacifiersmustalsobestoppednow.Youmustofferfluoridesupplementsasprescribedbyapaediatricianifyoufeelthewatershedrinksisnotfluoridated.Yourdentisttooshallrecommendfluoridetilltheageof8.However,ifnecessaryitmightbecontinuedevenlonger.Thishowever,shalldependonthesuggestionsofyourdoctor.EatingPatternsofaPreschoolerThisistheperiodwhenherrateofgrowthshallbeslow.Youcanexpecthertogainaround3-4poundseveryyear.Thus,donotworrymuchaboutherappetiteyet.Youmustkeepinmindthatfeedingproblemsshallariseonlywhenyougettooconcernedabouttheamountshetakes.Offerherhealthysnackslikecerealbarsorpackedbiscuits.Makesurehermealtimesremainpleasantandyouarenotforcinghertoeat.Onceyouhaveofferedanutritiousdiet,letherdecidehowmuchtotake.Itisbettertoavoidfoodslikenuts,rawvegetables,uncutgrapes,hardcandyandhotdogs.Junkfoodsandsweetcandiesareano-noforher.TeachingTableMannerstoPreschoolersYoumustinsistshefollowsthetablemanners.Makesuretoeattogetherduringthedinertimes.Turningthetelevisionoffduringthemealtimesisagoodhabityoumustfollow.Youcanalsoencourageyourpreschoolertoavoidplayingduringmealtimes,avoidspittingfood,avoidmakingnoisewhileeating,avoidscreamingorcryingwhileeating,avoidspillingfoodetc.Healthygrowthanddevelopmentalsodependsontheamountofsleepshegets.Sheshouldsleepforatleast12hoursnow.Maintainingaconsistentroutineduringthebedtimesshallhelpherfallasleepbetter.Also,youmusttakeherforthescheduledimmunizations,sothatsheiswellprotectedagainstthefataldiseases.Keepwaitingforsomemoredevelopmentsinthemonthstocome!Whataresnackoptionsforapreschooler?Howtodisciplinea4-year-oldpreschooler?Howtohelpapreschoolergetadequatesleep?Discusshere.

It is simply amazing that your preschooler is a grown-up child now. You were so busy with your little one; you never knew when time flied. Her strings shall start loosening now and she shall assert her independence everywhere. You might have plenty of questions regarding her development this month. Here we have attempted to answer some of them for you. Read along for some interesting information:

Behavioural Patterns of a 4 Year Old Child

Here we shall take a look at some of her behavioural patterns:

She shall love the company of her playmates.

You may also find her busy with her imaginary friends. There is no need to worry, as this is absolutely normal.

She will love watching the television, but you need to restrict her viewing time. However, you may encourage her to watch the educational programs that shall aid her further growth and development.

You may find her more curious about her body parts than before. She shall show her desire for privacy slowly now. You must respect her privacy.

If you are expecting the arrival of a newborn, you must prepare her for the arrival. You can encourage her to prepare the nursery and get clothes and diapers stacked for the new one. Make sure to praise her for all the efforts she puts in.

Disciplining your Preschooler

You must be consistent and firm in this case. Praising her for his good accomplishments shall encourage her further.

Isolation and ignorance are the two â€œIâ€s that you should be using while disciplining her. It is better to avoid spanking or shouting at her.

Make her understand the consequences when rules are broken. In case you are concerned about her behaviour, you can have a talk with your doctor.

Take Care of Preschoolerâ€™s Oral Health

You must encourage her to brush twice daily. You must also take her to the dentist for her scheduled checkups. If she is still into the habit of thumb sucking, it is time you help her come out of it. Use of pacifiers must also be stopped now.

You must offer fluoride supplements as prescribed by a paediatrician if you feel the water she drinks is not fluoridated. Your dentist too shall recommend fluoride till the age of 8. However, if necessary it might be continued even longer. This however, shall depend on the suggestions of your doctor.

Eating Patterns of a Preschooler

This is the period when her rate of growth shall be slow. You can expect her to gain around 3-4 pounds every year. Thus, do not worry much about her appetite yet. You must keep in mind that feeding problems shall arise only when you get too concerned about the amount she takes.

Offer her healthy snacks like cereal bars or packed biscuits. Make sure her meal times remain pleasant and you are not forcing her to eat. Once you have offered a nutritious diet, let her decide how much to take.

It is better to avoid foods like nuts, raw vegetables, uncut grapes, hard candy and hot dogs. Junk foods and sweet candies are a no-no for her.

Teaching Table Manners to Preschoolers

You must insist she follows the table manners. Make sure to eat together during the diner times. Turning the television off during the meal times is a good habit you must follow. You can also encourage your preschooler to avoid playing during meal times, avoid spitting food, avoid making noise while eating, avoid screaming or crying while eating, avoid spilling food etc.

Healthy growth and development also depends on the amount of sleep she gets. She should sleep for at least 12 hours now. Maintaining a consistent routine during the bed times shall help her fall asleep better. Also, you must take her for the scheduled immunizations, so that she is well protected against the fatal diseases.

Keep waiting for some more developments in the months to come!

What are snack options for a preschooler? How to discipline a 4-year-old preschooler? How to help a preschooler get adequate sleep? Discuss here.