Dealing with eating challenges such as picky eaters and food “strikes” is a common challenge in child care. Remember that children grow at different rates, and their appetites, food preferences and eating habits change as they get older. When you’re caring for a group of children, how do you know what eating behaviors are typical? Here are some of the most common milestones. Ages 1-2
Ages 2-3
Ages 4-5
Ages 6-8
For More InformationTo learn more about healthy eating, check out the following eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care articles: Photo by carbonnyc / CC BY http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Your doctor and/or nurse will probably: 1. Check your child's weight, length, and head circumference and plot the measurements on a growth chart. 2. Ask questions, address concerns, and provide guidance about how your toddler is: Eating. By 15 months, most toddlers are eating a variety of foods and are better able to handle textures. Offer your toddler 3 meals and 2–3 scheduled healthy snacks a day. Growth slows down in the second year of life so don't be surprised if your child's appetite has decreased. Your child can drink from a cup and may be able to use a spoon but probably prefers to finger-feed. Pooping. As you introduce new foods and whole milk, the look of your child's poop (and how often they go) may change from day to day. Let your doctor know if your child has diarrhea, is constipated, or has poop that's hard to pass. Sleeping. There's a wide range of normal, but generally toddlers need about 12–14 hours of sleep a day, including naps. Developing. By 15 months, most toddlers:
Talk to your doctor if your toddler is not meeting one or more milestones, or you notice that your toddler had skills but has lost them. 3. Do an exam with your child undressed while you are present. This will include an eye exam, tooth exam, listening to the heart and lungs, and paying attention to your toddler's motor skills and behavior. 4. Update immunizations. Immunizations can protect kids from serious childhood illnesses, so it's important that your child receive them on time. Immunization schedules can vary from office to office, so talk to your doctor about what to expect. Looking AheadHere are some things to keep in mind until your child's next checkup at 18 months: Feeding
Learning
Routine Care & Safety
These checkup sheets are consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Bright Futures guidelines. |