3 Year Well Child Visit

Next Visit:    

   __ at 4 years of age

NUTRITION

¨      Set good eating habits.  Eat healthy meals together as a family.

¨      Low fat or skim milk should be given instead of whole milk.

¨      Snack suggestions:  fruits, raw vegetables, yogurt, crackers, cheese. (Click here for a list of healthy snacks.)

¨      Avoid fast food restaurants and junk foods.

SAFETY

¨      All children are safer in the backseat.  Car seat until 40 pounds, then booster seat until 80 pounds, then seat belt only.

¨      Keep children out of the sun at peak times (10:00 – 3:00) and always protect with a PABA-free sunscreen. (SPF 15 or above).  Insect repellent should contain less than 10% DEET.

¨      Accidental poisonings and choking are common at this age.  Lock up medicines/cleaning solutions.  Put the poison center number on the telephone.  The poison control number is 275-3232 or 1-800-222-1222. 

¨      Never leave child unattended in the bathtub.  Swimming pools must have locked gates/fences.

TEETH

¨      Brush teeth daily.  Begin regular visits to the dentist if you have not already done so.

HEALTHY HABITS

¨      Read to your child every day.  Encourage story telling, naming opposites, and comparisons.

¨      Introduce the alphabet and numbers.

¨      Limit television viewing to no more than one hour per day and select quality programs.

¨      Sing songs and say nursery rhymes with your child.

¨      Play catch, encourage running, jumping, tricycle riding (with helmet) and balancing.

¨      Practice cutting (with safety scissors), painting, drawing, coloring, and puzzles.

¨      Encourage good table manners and use of fork and spoon.

¨      Praise positive behaviors, for example learning a new skill, being helpful or cooperative.

¨      “Catch the child being good,” instead of noticing and giving attention to the negative behaviors.

¨      Help children learn how to resolve conflicts and handle anger without using violence (e.g., “Use your words,” “Tell me how you feel,” “Let’s talk about it,” or “What can you do instead of hitting”).

¨      Masturbation is a normal phenomenon in this age group.  Do not be alarmed.

¨      Teach your child to look both ways before crossing the street.  Do not allow unsupervised outside play at this age.  Most children cannot be counted on for street safety until the age of five.

¨      Parents need to set limits for their children; most children at this age wish to feel “in charge.”  When possible, give your child the opportunity to make decisions by offering two choices (example: would you like Cheerios or pancakes for breakfast, or would you like to wear your white shirt or your blue one).

SUGGESTED READING

Toilet Learning, A. Mack

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child – Birth to Age 5, American Academy of Pediatrics

Guide to Your Child’s Symptoms, American Academy of Pediatrics

Little People, E. Christophersen