Preschooler's Growth and Development (5 Years, 11-Month-Old)

Good food and nutrition is important for proper growth and development of your 5 years, 11-month-old child. Help develop good eating habits in your preschooler by following our tips.

Proper growth and development of your preschooler depends on plenty of factors that you are aware of by now. Here we have focussed on the importance of good food and nutrition for a wholesome development of your child turning 6 in a month.Your child should be eating the same healthy foods other members are being served. Fruits and vegetables shall comprise a part of her daily diet. Chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, yoghurt and everything healthy that can you can think shall comprise of her diet as well. Of course you need to be careful and stay away from foods that she is allergic to.

Junks and your Child

Take some time to look back and think how much you loved the junks those days. Your child too loves the sugary beverages, chocolates, flavoured milk and all those “delicious foods”. Doctors suggest your little one should be more on low fat or the fat free flavoured options to ensure better bone health. She might show her interest in ice creams and cakes, however; you need to ensure it is limited to not more than one in a week.You need to be particularly careful if she is overweight. Obesity has become a common concern among the 5 and 6 year olds these days. Her servings must not be adult sized and she should be offered snacks that are only nutritious.

Picky Eater

Your child may have been a picky eater all these years. You can expect the same to continue in the coming years as well. However, do not feel overwhelmed, as this is what mothers of most of the 5 year old children go through. Continue handling her demands the way you have been over the years.You may expect her to be more vocal about her likes and dislikes. She may also surprise you by rejecting a food that used to be her favourite. However, keep encouraging her and appreciate the table manners she follows.To help her grow interest in foods, you can ask for her time in the kitchen. You can involve her in simple kitchen chores and see her growing interest in food.

Television and Food

Television is said to pose a serious obstacle to good eating habits and nutrition. Children, who have the habit of watching television while eating, are known to be at greater risks of developing obesity. Discourage her to munch on sweets and candies after coming home from school. You should be very careful about her eating patterns, as this shall have a direct bearing on her growth and development. You must also try and monitor what she eats from the canteen at school if possible.You cannot shut doors to the outside influences completely. Thus, it is important to keep the environment at home healthy. Your child shall adopt your eating behaviours, so make sure you much on healthy options that are low in sugar, sodium or fat. Her exposure to commercials and television is another aspect that you need to limit. Once you develop healthy practices, she shall learn them with time. It is normal for her to be tempted to candies and greasy things. Make it a point to offer them only as rewards and as an appreciation for good behaviour.If you think you are not too sure if she is getting everything for healthy growth, you can appoint a nutritionist. He shall take a note of her daily activities, height and suggest a diet pattern that you may follow.Moms tell us what variations in food you tried to make eating interesting to your little one at this age. We are eager to hear from you!

How to help 5 years, 11-month-old child avoid junk foods? How can parents develop healthy eating patterns? How does watching television while eating affect the child? Discuss here