Some children need more time to fall asleep. Allow your child to look at a book, or talk to stuffed animals. Your child needs to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. This may be different for every child. Try to find ways to help your child relax. Have your child breath slowly, sing a quiet song, or hold a stuffed animal. Sometimes shortening the afternoon nap or making sure a child doesnt nap in the late afternoon will help your child to be ready for sleep at bedtime. No matter how much I try, my four-year-old wont eat most of the things I put on the plate. I dont want to cook two different meals.

The Picky Eater To avoid picky eating and to create pleasant mealtimes, keep in mind that a parents job is to provide a variety of healthy food choices and a childs job is to choose what and how much to eat. Make family meals a time for family talk, not for punishment or pressure. Offer your child a variety of healthy foods that are colorful and have different textures. If your child doesnt like a new food, put a small amount on the plate. Ask your child to try one or two bites. Dont force eating. Dont insist children eat everything on their plates. This can lead to unhealthy eating behaviors. Some children dont like different foods mixed together. Your child may be willing to eat a serving of rice and a serving of corn, but wont eat them mixed together.

Some children may say they are too full to eat much of their meal, but they will have plenty of room for dessert. To avoid using dessert as a reward, but rather as the last part of a meal, let your child know that it is okay to leave the table if he or she is done eating. Explain that dessert comes when everyone is ready. Or make sure dessert is a healthy food. Choices could be: a sliced apple with peanut butter or yogurt with granola. Remember, tastes change. One day your child will surprise you and like the food refused before. 35 36 Parent t iP Helping in the kitchen Your preschool child is at a good age to start helping in the kitchen. Let your child help plan and fix meals. Preschoolers love to stir and mix things in a bowl. They can help clean and set the table (for example, place napkins and plastic cups on the table). Help your children learn to choose from a variety of healthy foods. They will learn a lot, and feel their choices are important.

Parent Question What kind of snacks are healthy? Instead of soda pop, mix equal parts 100% fruit juice and sparkling water. Instead of candy, offer your child small carrots, celery and peanut butter, banana chunks, apple slices, raisins, or cut grapes. Instead of chips, give cheese or crackers. For a cool treat, freeze 100% fruit juice in a paper cup with a straw in the middle to make a popsicle. Here are some more ideas: Be realistic about how much food you or your child puts on the plate. Children do not need adult-size helpings of food. A childs taste buds are much more sensitive than yours. Children typically do not like strongtasting foods, such as onions, or foods that are not a familiar color or texture. Serving foods warm versus hot brings out flavor the best and is safest for your childs sensitive tongue and skin. It is normal for children to be hungry one day and eat very little the next.