Type 1 Nutrients
Deficiencies of these nutrients lead to reduction in bodily function.¹

• These are nutrients like, iron, folic acid, calcium, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin D, the B vitamins, and several others.
• Dairy foods and leafy vegetables like spinach and legumes are also the best sources of calcium.
• Vitamin A deficiency leads to poor immunity, and hence indirectly affects growth in the case of infections.

Type 2 Nutrients
Deficiencies of these nutrients lead to reduced growth.¹

• These include protein, zinc, potassium, magnesium and they are crucial for the formation of new tissue during growth.
• Protein (amino acids) and zinc have direct roles in stimulating bone length growth.
• Type 2 nutrients are important for children recovering from illnesses to allow for catch-up on growth, so dairy foods, eggs and legumes are particularly important for their provision of protein and zinc.

Taking a step towards a lifetime of healthy eating

• Teach your children that nutrition and healthy eating impact growth and health.
• Encourage kids to try new foods so they are less likely to criticise or discourage other children from eating.
• Manage weight gain by suggesting sports and exercise and instead of sedentary activities like TV viewing.
• Use popular role models to encourage healthy eating.
• Allow children to help choose and prepare their foods (tear lettuce) and work on table manners (set the table).
• Create a structure for daily meals and snacks to limit all-day grazing and stick to regular mealtimes for the whole family.
• Be the best role model possible for your children.
• Sit with your child since children generally eat better when an adult sits with them.
• Always be patient with slow eaters and eliminate distractions like television, toys or other activities.

Identifying picky eaters

4-6 year old children may become picky eaters (also known as ‘fussy eaters’, ‘choosy’ and ‘problem eaters’) and avoid certain food, or eat only a limited number of foods. Some children in this age group may focus on personal challenges and resist parent’s insistence on healthy eating.

Eating junk food full of energy and fat – but few nutrients – is also a big problem for children at this age. If your child is turning mealtime into a power struggle (only eating when bribed), he may be a picky eater.

To learn more about identifying the signs of picky eating, click here.

To help develop motor skills, have your child:

• Pick up nuts and small blocks with kitchen tongs.
• String beads.
• Roll out play clay and cut it with scissors to build fine muscles in hands.
• Copy or trace your grocery or to-do list with a pencil.

• Use a string to show how to tie a half-knot and let him carry a string to practice.
• Give him a big show to try (off his foot) and face it away from him on the correct side of his body.
• Use imagery to teach him to make the first loop (loop is a tree, thumb holding it in place is a rabbit) while the other hand wraps the remaining lace (the fox) around the tree, push the rabbit farther into its hole.
• If the rabbit example is too difficult for him, teach him to make two loops (one from each end of the lace) and use his half-knot to tie them together – adding a second half-knot for security.

• Brush teeth by himself (supervision is still recommended)
• Ride a tricycle
• Button coat, zip pants, tie shoes and display other signs of increased motor skills
• Show awareness of gender identity
• Help to dress and undress himself
• Recall part of a story and sing a song
• Play with and want to please friends
• Agree to rules
• Show more independence and may even visit a next-door neighbor by himself
• Increase vocabulary from 900 to about 2,500-3,000 words
• Distinguish fantasy from reality
• Count 10 or more objects
• Correctly name at least four colours
• Better understand the concept of time
• Know about things used every day in the home (money, food, appliances)
• Speak sentences of more than five words (using future tense)
• Remember and say name and address
• Hop, somersault, swing, climb, stand on one foot for 10 seconds or longer, possibly skip
• Print some letters (encourage proper holding of pencil and downward strokes)
• Use fork, spoon, and (sometimes) a table knife
• May be losing baby teeth
• Care for own toilet needs

By the age of 4, your child should be able to brush her teeth on her own.

Supervision is still recommended. It is also recommended that you:

• Use fluoride-free toothpaste until your child is able to spit into the sink.
• Switch to a pea-size amount of fluoridated toothpaste when your child is ready.
• Help your child floss at around age 4, or whenever his back molars are touching.

Most kids are ready to read by age 6

Reading with your child can speed their learning. By reading together, your child learns:

• Specific words make specific sounds
• Words are made of letters
• The words on the page are related to the pictures
• Facts about their favourite things

Like any skill, reading is something children learn at their own pace. Making reading fun and stress-free will help your child develop a love of books.