Growth During the Preschool Years

Growth charts are a good way to monitor your child’s growth and health.

			Is my child growing the way he or she should be?
			There is a wide range of “normal” growth. Between the ages of 2 and 5, the average child grows about 6cm taller each year, and also gains 1-2.5kg each year.

You and your preschooler’s doctor/dietitian/paediatrician are partners in maintaining your child’s health. Your preschooler’s growth over time is an important sign of good health and nutrition.

Visit your health care professionals regularly. As part of the visit, they will weigh and
measure your child. He or she can then plot your child’s information on a growth chart. Over time, the curve of the growth chart will show your child’s growth pattern and whether height and weight growth are increasing at the same rate. They will monitor the growth chart to be sure your child continues to follow the same “curve” over time and the growth pattern does not unexpectedly change.

VISIT THIS PAGE FOR EXCELLENT IDEAS TO INCORPORATE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES INTO YOUR CHILD’S DIET!

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/foodgroups/downloads/TenTips/DGTipsheet11KidFriendlyVeggiesAndFruits.pdf