BRIGHT FUTURES NUTRITION F A M I L Y F A C T S H E E T S

Teaching Your Child

About Food
(3 – 4 Years)

Children are curious about food, although they still may be reluctant to try new foods.
Here are answers to important questions you may have about your child’s nutrition.

What can I expect my child to do as

she grows?
At 3 to 4 years of age, your child will
• Be able to use a fork.
• Be able to hold a cup by its handle.
• Be able to pour liquids from a small pitcher.
• Request favorite foods.
• Like foods in various shapes and colors.
• Like to imitate the cook.
• Have an increased interest in foods.
• Be influenced by TV.

At 4 years of age, your child will

• Be able to use a knife and fork.
• Be able to use a cup well. • Let your child help with food shopping and
preparation.
• Be able to feed herself.
• Do not use food to reward, bribe, or punish
• Be more interested in talking than in eating. your child.
• Continue to have food jags (when she only • Be a positive role model—practice healthy eat-
wants to eat a particular food). ing behaviors yourself.
• Like to help prepare food.
• Be more influenced by her peers. How can I make mealtimes enjoyable?
• Serve healthy foods for meals and snacks at
How can I teach my child healthy scheduled times, but allow for flexibility.
eating behaviors? • Be patient and understanding when your child
• Eat meals together as a family. makes a mess while she learns to feed herself—
• Keep in mind that you are responsible for what, this is normal.
when, and where your child eats. Let him • Use your child’s favorite plate, bowl, cup, and
decide whether to eat and how much. eating utensils.
• Offer a variety of healthy foods, and encourage • Praise your child for trying new foods and for
your child to try different ones. practicing appropriate behavior at the table.

© 2002 by National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health

(NCEMCH) and Georgetown University. Permission is given to photo-
copy this fact sheet for free distribution. For more information about
Bright Futures materials available through NCEMCH, contact (703) 524-
7802, ext. 425, or visit our Web site at [Link].
• Create a relaxed setting for meals (for example,
turn off the TV).
• Let your child leave the table when she has fin-
ished eating.

How much should my child eat?

• Children who are 3 years old may need smaller
serving sizes (about 2/3 of a serving) than chil-
dren who are 4 years old.
• Children who are 4 years old can eat serving
sizes similar to those eaten by older family
members: 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of fruits or
vegetables, 3/4 cup of juice, and 2 to 3 ounces
of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish.
• Children who are 3 and 4 years old need two
servings of milk, yogurt, or cheese per day.
or into thin strips, and spread peanut butter
What should my child drink? thinly on crackers or bread.
• Your child should drink about 2 cups (16 • Have your child sit while eating. Eating while
ounces) of milk per day. Drinking more than walking or running may cause her to choke.
this can reduce your child’s appetite for other
healthy foods. • Keep things calm at meal and snack times. If
your child becomes overexcited, she may
• Offer your child about 1/2 to 3/4 cup (4 to 6 choke.
ounces) of 100% fruit juice per day. Drinking
more than this can reduce your child’s appetite • Do not let your child eat in a moving car. If she
for other healthy foods. chokes while you are driving, you will not be
able to help her.
• Serve juice in a cup, not a bottle. Juice served in
a bottle can cover your child’s teeth with sugar
for long periods of time and contribute to tooth
How can I encourage my child to be
decay (early childhood caries). physically active?
• Your child may not tell you when he is thirsty. • Encourage active, spur-of-the-moment play,
Make sure he drinks plenty of water throughout such as jumping, skipping, and climbing.
the day, especially between meals and snacks. • Limit the time your child spends watching TV
and videotapes and playing computer games to
How can I prevent my child from choking? 1 to 2 hours per day.
• Children may need to have certain foods modi- • Play together (for example, play ball, chase, tag,
fied to make them safer to eat. For example, cut or hopscotch). It is a great way to spend time
hot dogs in quarters lengthwise and then into with your child.
small pieces, cut whole grapes in half length- • Be a positive role model—participate in regular
wise, chop nuts finely, chop raw carrots finely physical activity yourself.

Notes Resources
American Dietetic Association
Phone: (800) 366-1655
Web site: [Link]
USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center
Phone: (703) 305-2554
Web site: [Link]

This fact sheet contains general information and is not a substitute

for talking with your child’s health professional about your particular
concerns about your child.