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Month 42: Staying Positive
Nowadays, your child is probably using more words. This is all part of how children learn to express themselves and their feelings. By keeping a positive attitude (and your sense of humor), you will all learn and grow.

When it comes to food, you decide which foods to offer and when, and your child decides what to eat and how much. But how do you keep your child from saying “ewwwww!” or sticking out her tongue at foods she doesn’t like?

• Tell your child, “It’s okay if you don’t like _____ right now, but I do.”
• Talk about how tastes change as people get older. Say that when you are older, you may like that food.
• Set a good example. Don’t talk about other peoples’ foods that you don’t like.
• Forcing a child to eat something she doesn’t want usually backfires. If your child isn’t interested in trying a new food, don’t make a big deal about it.
• Chances are, if you keep serving it, she will eventually try it and maybe even decide she likes it.

At this age, your preschooler has strong ideas about what is hers but doesn’t always know how to express her thoughts or feelings. You can help her learn to use her words instead of hitting, kicking, or biting.

• It’s good to talk about sharing and taking turns, but your child has to learn how to speak up for herself before she can learn to share.
• Help your child think of what to say when something happens that she doesn’t like. She might say, “I don’t like that.” “That’s my toy.” “That hurts my feelings.” “That hurts my body.”
• Give your child ideas about what to do when words don’t work. She could walk away from the friend, have alone time, or talk to an adult.

“When making lunches and snacks for my 3-year-old, I found the healthiest foods to be the fresh ones, uncooked! Sliced apples; mangos or kiwi; green, yellow, and red peppers; blueberries; sliced almonds; and fresh spinach leaves.” 

- Kim, Mom of three

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Month 43: Your Child’s First Favorite Thing
Children don’t like change. They seem to get “stuck” doing what they’re doing, and they don’t want to do anything else! You’ll see this in the way he chooses a favorite thing (a dinosaur or truck or blanket) and the way he doesn’t want to stop what he is doing (playing, eating, resting).

By now, many children have found one special thing they like or are good at. Your 3-year-old probably knows more about his favorite thing than you would expect. And he probably talks about it to anyone who will listen.

• Ask your child questions about his favorite thing. Let him be the expert.
• Go to the library and get books about your child’s favorite thing.
• Don’t be surprised if your child loses interest after a while and finds a new favorite thing.

At 3-and-a-half, children get very involved in whatever they’re busy with right at the moment. If they’re playing, they want to keep playing. If they’re eating, they want to keep eating. Think of things to make going from one thing to the next easier for both you and your child.

• In the morning, talk about what will happen that day. Highlight any parts of the day that might be different than normal. (“You’re going to preschool. Aunt Lina will pick you up.”)
• Let your child know what will happen next. (“In ten minutes, we’re going to the store, so it’s time for us to use the potty.”)
• Set a timer. When it rings, it’s time to do the next thing.
• Leave yourself lots of time. Everything is harder when you’re in a hurry.

Sodas, fruit drinks, sports drinks, nectars, and even fruit juice can contain large amounts of sugar.

• Offer water first when your child is thirsty.
• If you are going to offer sugary drinks as a treat, mix with half (or more) water.

“My daughter, Yves, loves to play kitchen and help me cook. We cook at home together all the time, and she loves to crack eggs into the bowl (while I pick out the shells!).” 

- Ave, WIC Mom

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Month 44: Learning to Talk
Your child knows more words than ever. She can probably use three to four words in a sentence and talk with family and new friends she meets on the playground. The time you spend talking with your child helps her with these skills.

Your child has probably always had her own special words for things—“baba” for bottle or “see-saa” for sister, for example. This is a normal part of how children learn to talk. Now that your child is almost 4, you might be noticing that some of these special speech patterns don’t seem to be improving as your child’s vocabulary grows. Your child might stutter (stretch out the first sound of a word) or lisp (say a ‘th’ sound in place of an ‘s’ sound). These problems can be very frustrating for your child.

• Drawing attention to the speech problem will only make it worse.
• Give your child plenty of time to say what she is trying to say.
• Speak slowly and stay relaxed to encourage your child to speak slowly.
• Children usually grow out of these problems, but if you’re worried, talk to your doctor. He or she can recommend a speech therapist if needed.

Have you ever said, “You were good, so you can have a cookie!” Or maybe, “If you don’t eat your peas, you’re going to time-out.” Offering food as a reward and forcing children to eat when they don’t want to can create an unhealthy relationship with food. These kinds of feeding pressures usually backfire.

• They teach children to ignore feelings of fullness and eat when they’re not hungry.
• Once you have offered food, let your child decide what she will eat and how much.
• Pressuring your child to eat makes your child eat worse, not better, and it can lead to mealtime struggles.
• Reward your child with hugs, stickers, time together, and activities. Rewarding with foods makes your child want those foods more.

“Listen to your kids and respect their decisions. Whether my three-year-old asks for a fourth waffle  or says he’s finished with dinner after eating one pinto bean, we respect his decision. Not only does this approach teach him to listen to his internal hunger cue, but it keeps meal time enjoyable.” 

- Constantine, Father of two?

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Happy 4th Birthday!
It's hard to believe that your child is already 4! This year, your fearless, friendly child will be learning more about how to play and work well with others.?

Family meals are a time when you can talk, share, and bond. Family members can learn from each other. Family meals are usually healthier than take-out food or restaurant meals.

• Breakfast and lunch can count as family meals, too. Work around family schedules.
• If it's too hard to make dinner during the week, cook ahead on the weekends, then freeze, and reheat food. You could also use a slow-cooker.
• Turn off the TV and cell phones so everyone can focus on each other.?

Children this age love to use their imaginations. They like to make up stories, dress up, and act out familiar things, such as playing "Mom" and "Dad." Pretending helps your child's brain grow and develop. You can encourage your child by:

• Asking questions about what she is playing. (What is her name? Where does she live? What does she like to eat?)
• Give your child things to help with her play. A laundry basket can be a boat or a spaceship. An empty tissue box can be a treasure box or a dinosaur house.
• Children often work new things they've learned into their play (if you read a book on ships, your child might pretend to be on a ship). Feed your child's imagination by reading books, going on adventures, and learning new things together whenever you can.?

It's time for your child's 4-year well-check appointment. At the appointment, your doctor will answer any questions you might have and will also make sure your child's vaccinations are up to date.

• Remember to bring any medications your child is taking, your Medicaid ID form, a list of your child's allergies, and your child's shot record.
• There may be several vaccinations for your child at this visit, so consider doing something special for him afterwards.
• If your child has Medicaid, you can call Texas Health Steps at 877-THSTEPS if you need help finding health care, or talk to your WIC staff.

"My 4 year old, Stephen, loves to pretend. I play soldiers or cowboy with him, or whatever he suggests. I try hard to feed his imagination, not with the TV and computer, but with books and stories about whatever interests him in that moment."?

- Sharon, WIC Mom

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Month 50: Feeling Safe and Sound
As your child learns more about the world, she's also learning the difference between real and make-believe.??

When?you're thirsty, reach for water. It's better for you and your kids.

• Drinking water instead of a 20-ounce soda can save 240 calories.
• Carry a water bottle when you're at work or running errands. Encourage older kids to take a water bottle to school.
• Keep water bottles in the freezer to take with you for cold water on the go.
• If you or the kids don't like plain water, try adding a wedge of lemon or lime.

At this point, your child is learning to tell what is real from what is make-believe. Things in her imagination can seem very real (and sometimes scary). Helping her understand that things like monsters and ghosts are just pretend will help your child feel safer.

• Talk about what things are "real" and what things are "pretend."
• Ask your child if different things are real or pretend ("Is our car real?" or "Can people really fly?")
• Limit time in front of the TV and play with your child instead.?

It's not too early to start talking about how to stay safe. By this age, your child is old enough to understand the difference between people you know and strangers.

• Explain what a stranger is ("Someone we don''t know") and that children shouldn't talk to strangers without their parents or other trusted adults.
• Point out safe strangers like store employees, policemen, and security guards. ("See that lady in the orange vest? That vest shows us she works here. If you ever get lost, you could ask someone like that lady for help.")
• Make sure your child knows your first and last name.?

"Encouraging your child's imagination is the first step to raising a creative, problem-solving child. With my daughter, Lesa, we let her dress herself, and pick out whatever she likes putting together, even if it is embarrassing (for us)! We also ask her to tell us a story at bedtime for a change-and it's always interesting to see what she comes up with!"?

-?Fae, WIC Mom

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Month 46: Here's to a Peaceful Night
Many children will find ways to delay bedtime or get out of bed after they've been tucked in. From drinks of water to extra stories, children can think of hundreds of reasons to stay up for five minutes longer. Do your best to keep a consistent routine.?

Around this age, most children have moved from the crib to the "big kid" bed. Many children have trouble falling asleep or staying in bed.

• Keep up your bedtime routine.
• Limit screen time after 7 p.m. Studies show that watching TV in the evening may cause trouble with sleeping.
• If your child gets up, offer as little attention as possible.
• Use a sticker chart or other non-food rewards for staying in bed.
• Be firm and consistent. If you allow your child to stay up once, she will expect that every time.

Around this age, many children start to have nightmares for the first time. Big changes such as going to a new school, a death in the family, or having a new brother or sister can be scary to children. Your child is learning more about the world than ever before. All of this can cause some bad dreams. These dreams can seem very real and frightening to young children.

• Comfort your child when she has a bad dream. Pat her back and talk to her to make sure she is fully awake and out of the dream.
• Let your child tell you about the dream if she wants. If needed, look under the bed or in the closet to show her she is safe.
• Let your child sleep with a nightlight or closet light on. Be sure she has her favorite blanket or lovie.
• During the day, talk about the difference between dreams and real life.
• Limit the movies and television your child sees. Things that might not be scary to adults or older children (like the news) might cause nightmares for younger children.

?"With my daughter Violet, she would get a sticker on the calendar we kept on the fridge for every night that she went to bed on time and stayed in bed. Once she had 10 stickers on the chart she would get rewarded with something like a day at the local pool or a meal at a neighborhood restaurant."?

-?Dandi, Mom of two

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Month 45: Celebrating Independence
Lately, your child is probably trying out his independence in all kinds of ways. He might choose not to listen when you ask him to do something or might refuse to eat any foods that are red. It can be hard, but hang in there!?

You probably find that your child meets new friends wherever he goes-at school, at the playground, or anywhere there are other children. Because we often talk with children about making new friends, it's a good idea to talk about who is a safe friend.

• Tell your child that while it's fine to meet new friends who are children, you don't want him to talk to grownups he doesn't know.
• Talk about what a "stranger" is ("a person we don't know").
• Be careful not to scare your child or give too much information that he won't understand.

How can you keep mealtimes happy with your child? Remember, parents and children have different jobs when it comes to feeding and eating. Check out the Texas WIC Tips for Feeding 2-5 Year Olds class for more helpful information.

• Children need regular meals and snacks to grow, usually three meals and two snacks per day.
• Offer meals and snacks at regular times so your child will be hungry when it is time to eat.
• Offer only water between meals and at snack times.
• Offer a variety of healthy foods and have treats occasionally.
• Offer new foods in small amounts.
• Children eat best when they sit down for meals and snacks.

• It's normal for a child to eat a lot one day and a little the next day.
• Your child will eat if he is hungry.
• Do your job with feeding, and then trust your child to do his job with eating.

"My first son ate everything, and we thought we were such good parents. Then my second son hated everything. We would put one little piece of broccoli or one bite of zucchini on his plate, and he would never eat it. Then, at age 5, he started trying things. Now he eats green beans, broccoli and brussels sprouts, but only if they are raw."?

-?Maya, Mom of two

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Month 49: Fuel Your Adventures
Your child is full of energy, and a healthy breakfast gets him off to a good start.?

Do you have the breakfast blahs? Get inspired with Texas WIC recipes like a Mixed Fruit Smoothie or Breakfast Scramble, or try some of these ideas:

• Whole-grain cereal with fresh strawberries and low-fat milk
• A whole-wheat English muffin with cheese, an egg, and a slice of tomato
• Low-fat yogurt with fresh fruit
• Oatmeal with blueberries and low-fat milk
• Scrambled eggs with fresh salsa in corn tortillas
• Whole-grain toast with peanut butter and sliced bananas
• Sweet-potato pancakes topped with bananas and pecans

Age 4 is a good time for children to start learning about sports. Sports can teach lessons about practice, hard work, teamwork, and winning and losing. It's also a great way for the whole family to get some physical activity.

• Check around-there may be more than one place in your area that has children's sports.?
• Local schools and community centers often have free sports programs.
• Get advice from friends with older children. They might also be able to give or sell you gear that their kids have outgrown.
• Ask your child what sport he likes. If you can, go watch other people play or practice to help your child understand the sport.
• It's not always about winning; it's about having fun and learning new things. Congratulate your child for trying hard.
• You don't have to sit on the sidelines. If you can't help coach the team, you can still help your child practice at home. Even if you're not good at the sport, you and your child will enjoy spending time together.?

Children with regular family meals are healthier, do better in school, have an easier time making friends, and aren't as likely to be overweight or abuse drugs or alcohol. Make a plan and cook for your family this week.?

"At this age, the most important thing is to play for fun and to develop coordination and the sense of team play."?

-?Alysia, WIC mom

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Month 47: Congratulations! Your Toddler is 47 Months Old!
Just think of how much you both have grown this past year. Your child is able to tell you what he wants and does so much more than he could a year ago. Keep up the good work!?

Now that your child is better at using his words, he probably enjoys putting his new skills to work. While children this age might not get their words right every time ("We randed a race."), they like using words in new ways. Children this age enjoy making up words and playing with rhymes and word sounds.

• Teach your child new words. When you use a word your child doesn't know, ask him what he thinks it means before telling him.
• Talk about rhyming words (pan, man, fan, tan). See how many you can think of together.
• Get silly with your words. Use the wrong word for something (insist that your shirt is an apple or your dog is a cat). Your child is sure to laugh.

As parents, we often forget to re-try foods we've offered that our children didn't really like. Don't give up! It often takes 10 tries or more before a child accepts a new food. Take the WIC class Cooking with Fruits and Vegetables for helpful tips.

• Children are more likely to try new foods if they help make them.
• Offer new foods at the beginning of the meal when your child is most hungry.
• Offer only one new food at a time. Make sure the meal also includes a food you know your child likes.
• Put only a small spoonful of the new food on your child's plate.
• Set a good example by trying the food yourself.

Only about half of 3-year-olds who are daytime potty trained are able to stay dry all night. Many children's bladders are just too small. As your child grows and his body matures, he will be able to stay dry longer.

• Limit how much water your child drinks right before bedtime.
• Make sure your child uses the bathroom right before bed.
• Put a waterproof mattress pad cover on your child's bed.
• Know that your child can't help it if he wets the bed. Shaming or punishing him will only make things worse.

?"Letting my son Cayden help me in the kitchen has really helped his willingness to try new things. If he was a big boy and helped mommy with dinner, he wants to be a big boy and show daddy he can eat it too!"?

-?Lisa, WIC Mom

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