How has your child changed from when he was younger?
What do you like about this age?
What don’t you like?
Your preschooler needs both trust and guidance.
He can be on his own for short times. He does what you want. He can keep out of trouble. But he is still a child and needs you to show him how to behave. He wants to be like you. He eats better when he is with you or with another grownup he depends on.
Here is what your preschooler is like:
- He wants to get better at all that he does–including eating. He learns in little steps. He works to like new foods, learn table manners, and eat in other places besides home.
- He thinks you know everything, and he needs you to show him what he needs to learn. Show him by deciding what, when, and where he gets to eat.
- He wants to please you. Make it possible by letting him decide how much and whether to eat—of what you offer. He eats if you make him, but he feels bad.
- He likes serving himself at meals. He doesn’t always eat everything he takes. Teach him to dish up less and ask for more helpings.
- He needs to know you approve. Pay attention when he does things right, not just when he does things wrong.
