Parenting Tips for Your 47-48 Month Old Child
An almost four year old can be a big help in the kitchen. Here are some tasks that your child can safely help with:
- Kneading and shaping dough
- Pouring liquids
- Mixing ingredients
- Shaking liquids in a covered container
- Spreading soft spreads
- Placing items in the trash
Your child can begin to help you peel oranges or hard-boiled eggs, mash bananas, set the table, cut green onions or herbs with a dull scissors. Use your judgment on what your child is able to do safely.
Involving your child in meal preparation is a great way to get him to try new foods. You can start a regular “try a new food night” for the family. Include your child all the way from choosing the new food in the store to preparing and serving the food at the meal.
You may also encourage your child to invent his own snacks using healthy foods. Try new ways of preparing familiar foods with your child. When introducing a new food to your child, limit the serving to 1-2 tablespoons, and allow him to ask for more if he likes it.
Food jags are common at this age. The important thing to remember is that it is usually temporary. Allow your child to eat his favorite food, but serve it with other foods to give him a variety. Punishments or bribes to try to get your child to eat food have the opposite effect. He will likely refuse to try the food the next time you serve it.
Taking the time to include your child in meal preparation pays off. It will not only make him feel like a part of the family, but also interest him in trying new foods to help him continue to grow up to be healthy and strong.
