Good Health and Physical Well-Being
Provided by U.S. Department of Education
How well children will learn and develop and how well they will do in school depends
on a number of things, including the children's health and physical well-being,
their social and emotional preparation and their language skills and general knowledge
of the world.
Good Health and Physical Well-Being
Seeing to it that your preschool child has nutritious food, enough exercise and
regular medical care gives him a good start in life and lessens the chances that
he will have serious health problems or trouble learning later on.
Food
Preschoolers require a healthy diet. After your child is born, she
requires nutritious food to keep her healthy. School-aged children can concentrate
better in class if they eat balanced meals that include servings of breads and cereals;
fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry and fish and meat alternatives (such as eggs
and dried beans and peas); and milk, cheese and yogurt. You should see to it that
your child does not eat too many fatty foods and sweets.
Children ages two to five generally can eat the same foods as adults but in smaller
portions. Your child's doctor or medical clinic adviser can provide you with advice
on what to feed a baby or a toddler who is under the age of two.
If you need food for your child, federal, state and local programs can help. For
example, the federal nutrition program, called the Special Supplemental Food Program
for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), distributes food to low-income women and
their children across the country. Food stamp programs also are available. If you
want more information or want to find out if you are eligible for food stamps, call
or visit your local or state health department. Your local librarian can help you
find names, addresses and phone numbers.
Exercise
Preschoolers need opportunities to exercise. To learn to control and coordinate
the large muscles in his arms and legs, your child needs to throw and catch balls,
run, jump, climb and dance to music. To learn to control and coordinate the small
muscles in his hands and fingers, he needs to color with crayons, put together puzzles,
use blunt-tipped-safety-scissors, zip his jacket and grasp small objects such as
coins. If you suspect that your child has a disability, see a doctor as soon as
possible. Early intervention can help your child to develop to his full potential.
Medical Care
Preschoolers require regular medical checkups, immunizations and dental care.
It's important for you to find a doctor or a clinic where your child can receive
routine health care as well as special treatment if she becomes sick or injured.
Early immunizations can help prevent a number of diseases including measles, mumps,
German measles (rubella), diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hib (Haemophilus
influenzae type b), polio and tuberculosis. These diseases can have serious effects
on your child's physical and mental development. Talk to your doctor about the benefits
and risks of immunization. Beginning by the age of three at the latest, your child
also should have regular dental checkups.
