Three Year-Old Checkup

Diet:

  • Nonfat or 1% milk is recommended at this age.  Your child should get about 16-24 ounces (2-3 cups) of milk per day.
  • Children are often picky eaters at this age.  This is usually normal.  It is due to normal slowing of their growth rate and their increasing independence.
  • Juice is optional. Your child does not need juice.  If you give juice, give no more than 4-6 ounces (1/2-2/3 a cup) a day.  Give juice only once a day.
  • All children should take a daily multivitamin.

Car Seat:

  • Your child should always ride in a car seat in the back seat of the car

Safety:

  • Your child should always wear a bike helmet when riding a bicycle, and a helmet and pads when rollerskating, rollerblading or riding a scooter or skateboard.
  • Continue home childproofing: electric outlet covers, poison prevention, choking prevention and drowning prevention.
  • Gun safety: It is SAFEST not to have guns in the home with children.
  • If guns are in the home, they should be locked up, unloaded, and the ammunition kept locked separately.

Development:

  • Normal development for children between 3 and 4 years of age
  • Speak in complete sentence and speech is easy to understand.
  • Asks a lot of questions, especially “why?”
  • Toilet trained and child washes hands independently
  • Copies circle and cuts paper with children’s scissors
  • Pedals tricycle

Guidance:

  • Encourage language development, read to your child everyday and talk a lot with your child.
  • Limit TV time to no more then 2 hours per day.
  • Brush your child’s teeth twice a day.  Use fluoride toothpaste (a small, pea-sized dab).
  • Regular dental checkups every 6 months are recommended.
  • Consider enrolling your child in preschool
  • Protect your child from the sun.  Use sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection.

Flu Vaccine:

  • Return for a flu vaccine every fall/winter: The first year that your child gets a flu vaccine, they need two doses given at least one month apart to be protected.

Next Check Up:  In 1 Year when your child is 4 years old

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