Strategies For Families

Strategies for Families

The preschool period is such an exciting developmental time for your children. Each day they are learning more about themselves and the world around them. As you watch them grow and develop it is important to remember that this is a time when so many health behaviors can be established. They can learn to love physical activity, explore new foods, and pay attention to their body’s signals for hunger, thirst, and rest.

How to Grow a Healthy Preschooler

1. OFFER VARIETY AND CHOICE: Let kids decide what to eat from the healthful foods you serve.  Encourage kids to “explore” with all five senses. HOPE’s Nutrition Tips.
   
   
2. CALM: Turn off the TV during meals to encourage mindful eating.
   
   
3. BE CONSISTENT: Whenever possible, feed children at the same time every day and allow them to eat at their own pace.
   
   
4. DRINK TO HEALTH: Offer children at least 6 cups of water throughout the day and especially after play.  Limit fruit juice and do not serve soda to preschoolers.
   
   
5. DON’T JUDGE: Avoid rewarding kids for what they eat.  Help kids take charge of their bodes by asking them to notice if they feel full or have room for more. HOPE’s child friendly mealtime placemat encourages children to listen to their own cues about hunger and satiety.
   
   
6. TALK HEALTH, NOT LOOKS: Talk with kids about building healthy strong bodies.  Avoid messages about being fat or think or having an “ideal” body size.
   
   
7. LISTEN TO KIDS: Allow children to express feelings and help them problem solve so they don’t “eat their feelings” or rely on food for comfort.
   
   
8. DON’T USE FOOD as a reward, punishment or bribe.
   
   
9. PROMOTE PLAY: Make sure children have at least 1 hour of active play each day.  Limit TV and other screen time to 2 hours a day. HOPE’s recommendations for how to Get Your Family Active.
   
   
10. SCHEDULE SLEEP: Be consistent about nightly routines and bedtime to help preschoolers get the 11 to 13 hours of sleep they need.  HOPE’s recommended Sleep and Bedtime Routines
    
    

Download PDF of HOPE Best Practices in English, Spanish, Korean, and Mandarin.

HOPE’s Helpful Hints for Families:

Mealtime Placemat
Nutrition Tips (en español)
Sleep and Bedtime routines (en español)
Get Your Family Active (en español)