DIET and NUTRITION
Your preschooler's growth rate has slowed from the rapid growth of infancy. This often will be manifested by a small appetite. Do not worry. Continue to offer regular small nutritious meals and scheduled snacks. Your preschooler will take in adequate calories over the course of a several days. You should be brushing your child's teeth at least once a day. No toothpaste is needed until he can spit on command. Dental visits should begin no later than age 3. I your drinking water is not fluoridated, you may need to add a fluoride suppliment. Please discuss this with us.

SAFETY
Georgia law requires children under age 5 to remain in car safety seat and all persons must be in a seat belt at all times. Household injuries are very common in the preschool years. Keep sharp or hot object and poisons out of reach. If your preschooler has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, call Poison Control 4O4-616-9OOO for immediate advice. Now is a good time to begin teaching stranger safety. If you have a firearm, store it locked and separate from ammunition.

DEVELOPMENT/EDUCATION
Your child is learning and changing every day. Speech is gradually becoming more intelligible. You should be able to understand about half of your child's language at age 2 years, 3/4 by age 3 years and almost all by age 4 years. He is becoming more adept at jumping , running, kicking a ball and maneuvering stairs. Provide time for active outdoor play as well as indoor activities, such as coloring or building with blocks, which stimulate finger dexterity. Continue reading on a regular basis. Support your child's interest in toilet training, but do not let it become a power struggle.

DISCIPLINE
Your child's favorite word may be "NO" Try to help your child decide between acceptable alternatives rather than just "yes - no" options. Having a few simple rules that are consistently enforced will be more productive than multiple rules inconsistently enforced. Independence should be encouraged but molded -- Defiance should not be tolerated. Help your child develop respect toward authority figures, including you. Consequences for disobedience should be immediate, consistent and easily understandable. Time out for 1 minute per year of age may be helpful. Consistent boundaries and consequences actually help the child develop a healthy self esteem and let them know they are loved and cared for.

Teaching your child safe, polite and appropriate behavior will continue to be a very big job. Many books have been written and you may find these helpful:

The New Dare to Discipline & The New Strong Willed Child by James Dobson
Good Behavior by Stephen Garber
How to Really Love Your Child by Ross Campbell
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Trip

NEXT APPOINTMENT
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that preschoolers receive checkups once a year. They will likely need immunizations at 4 years old.