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The first five years of your child’s life are crucial for their physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth and development. Your preschool child needs love, good nutrition, good health, social and emotional security and stimulation to help them learn and also to set a good foundation for their future learning.

Research has shown that children who have supportive and loving families are more likely to succeed at learning than those who don’t. Families set an example for learning and those who involve their children in activities that allow them to talk, explore, and experiment show their children that learning is not only important, but also fun and enjoyable.

Make sure that your child has a good start in life by ensuring that they eat nutritious foods, get enough exercise and receive regular medical care. This lessens the chances that your child will experience serious health issues or learning problems later on.

Food

Preschoolers need a healthy diet to ensure that they are growing properly and to maintain good health. Children ages 2 - 5 generally can eat the same foods as adults. You and your child should be eating a well-balanced diet that includes grains and cereals; fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry, fish and/or meat alternatives, such as eggs and legumes; milk, cheese and yogurt. Fatty foods and sweets should be limited.

Exercise

It is important that preschool children be given ample opportunities for exercise. Physical activity allows your child to learn to control and coordinate the large muscles in his/her arms and legs (gross motor skills). Activities such as throwing and catching balls, running, jumping, climbing and dancing to music are not only fun but also important to your child’s gross motor development. Fine motor skills (controlling the small muscles in hands and fingers) are developed when your child colors with crayons, puts together puzzles, used blunt-tipped scissors, zips his/her jacket and picks up and grasps small objects, like coins or beads.

Medical Care

Stay on top of the required medical checkups and immunizations for your child. Early immunizations can help prevent many diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, polio and tuberculosis. These diseases can have serious effects on your child’s mental and physical development and should be given in the proper time frame.

Also, be sure that your child is seeing a dentist for regular checkups by the time they are three years old. Regular dental care is very important to a child’s overall health and well-being.
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Mari Peckham has been teaching creative movement for infants through preschool aged children in the Chicago area since 2001. She also teaches middle eastern dance for adults. Mari is currently pursuing her BA in Holistic Wellness with a minor in Metaphysics. Visit her blogs at http://www.FamilyandChildrenBlog.com and http://www.GoddessMari.com to learn more.

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