Your Child's Checkup: 4 Years

Related Resources

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) The AAP is committed to the health and well-being of infants, adolescents, and young adults. The website offers news articles and tips on health for families.

American Academy of Family Physicians This site, operated by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), provides information on family physicians and health care, a directory of family physicians, and resources on health conditions.

Hunger and Your Preschooler Your preschooler eats lunch, then 20 minutes later claims to be hungry. Is a snack OK? Maybe yes, maybe no. Here's why.

How to Talk to Your Child's Doctor Building a relationship with your child's doctor requires communication and reasonable expectations.

Strategies for Feeding a Preschooler During the preschool years, kids are more willing to cooperate. So it's a great time to teach them about healthy food choices in new and exciting ways.

Games for Preschoolers Whether at a party or a play date, preschoolers love to play games. These games can be used for birthday parties, rainy day get-togethers, or anytime you find yourself with a bunch of energetic preschoolers.

Fitness and Your 4- to 5-Year-Old Take advantage of your child's natural tendency to be active. Staying fit can help improve kids' self-esteem and decrease the risk of serious illnesses later in life.

Story Time for Preschoolers Reading aloud to your preschooler is a great way to encourage learning development and to help prepare your child for independent reading down the line.

Is Your Preschooler Too Active? Preschoolers need lots of physical activity, so it's best to work with their high energy levels by keeping them safe while giving them opportunities to play.

Motivating Preschoolers to Be Active A preschooler's desire to move, move, move makes this a great time to cultivate fitness habits that can last a lifetime.

Cooking With Preschoolers It may take a little flexibility and prep work, but time in the kitchen with your preschooler can be a culinary adventure you'll both enjoy.

Back to School Kids often have a tough time making the back-to-school transition. Here's how to help them.

Should Your Preschooler Play Sports? Team sports can be too complicated for the average preschooler. Here are some fun and easy ways to keep them active.

What Should Preschoolers Drink? The best drinks for preschoolers - and indeed for kids of all ages - are milk and water.

Talking to Your Child's Preschool Teacher Enrolling your little one in preschool can be a time filled with many questions. Find out how to establish an open, clear channel of communication with your child's preschool teacher.

Sleep and Your Preschooler Preschoolers sleep about 10 to 12 hours during each 24-hour period, and it's important to help them develop good habits for getting to sleep.

What's Funny to a Preschooler? Your preschooler is finding new things funny while developing a better understanding of the world - and is eager to show off new ways to be playful and laugh with you.

Introducing Preschoolers to Music Most preschoolers love music, and it does more than entertain. Research shows that kids who are actively involved in music develop important life skills too.

Safe Exploring for Preschoolers Kids ages 3-5 have tons of energy and are eager to walk, run, dance, and play. It's a great age for exploration too.

Communication and Your 4- to 5-Year-Old Communicating with a child is one of the most pleasurable and rewarding experiences for both parent and child. Learn how to connect with your 4- to 5-year-old.

Growth and Your 4- to 5-Year-Old Kids who are 4 to 5 years old continue to learn in a very physical way, but are more focused than when they were younger.

Snacks for Preschoolers Healthy and well-timed snacks can help fill in nutritional gaps for preschoolers. But how do you turn yours into a smart snacker?

Helping Your Child Adjust to Preschool The more comfortable you are with placing your child in preschool and the more familiar the setting is for your child, the fewer problems you - and your child - will encounter.

Medical Care and Your 4- to 5-Year-Old Regular well-child exams are essential for keeping kids healthy and up-to-date with immunizations against dangerous childhood diseases. Find out what to expect at the doctor's office.

Raising a Fit Preschooler Preschoolers have a lot of energy, and the physical skills and coordination to ride a tricycle or chase a butterfly.