General
Information for a 4 Year Old Baby:
Behavior
–
Be firm but reward good behavior. Encourage exploring and independence,
but keep firm limits. Use time out consistently. Use "No" sparingly.
Your child should be learning how to share.
Healthy habits –
Encourage reading and limit TV and video games. Brush regularly
and visit the dentist every 6 months. Give your child small chores.
Successful completion of tasks will build confidence. Think about
an allowance.
Toilet
Training-
At this age 95% of kids are trained, 90% are dry during the day,
and 75% are dry at night.
Sex
-
Answer questions about sex at the child's level of understanding.
Development
-
Most 4 year old children have an extensive vocabulary and
can recite stories. Visit the public library regularly. Their
speech is easily understood. They know 4 colors and can count
to 10. They know 4 actions and three adjectives. They can draw
a person with 5 parts. They can copy squares and can hop on one
foot.
Diet
-
Avoid mealtime struggles. Encourage all four food groups in your
child's diet. If your child does not like a particular selection,
do not force it on your child: just try again later. Use fruits
and vegetables for snacks.
Safety
(Playtime) -
Don’t forget about helmets, protective pads, or eye safety
when your child is out playing. Careful supervision is necessary
when playing near a street or where mowers or tools are around.
Teach your children to avoid strange pets.
Strangers
-
It is time to teach your child good touch from bad touch.
Teach your child your address and phone number. Also teach your
child how to recognize a clerk from a stranger.
Water
-
Never leave your child unattended around water (pools, tubs, toilets,
and even buckets). Also take care around hot liquids (coffee)
General
-
Children love to climb. Secure bookshelves, appliances and windows.
Curtain and appliance cords should be out of reach. Lock up poisonous
substances. The poison control center’s number should be handy.
Syrup of Ipecac should be available in your home.
Vaccinations
Polio vaccine - It should not
be given if you are allergic to the antibiotics streptomycin,
neomycin or polymyxin.
DTaP (Diptheria, Pertusis, and Tetnus)
- Should not be given if your child has a newly diagnosed
seizure disorder. Can cause fever and redness.
MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
Rubella component can cause some joint discomfort. Measles
component can cause fever, pain, and a temporary rash.
Varciella
(Chicken Pox)
Not given if someone at home is immunocompromised (AIDS, Cancer
chemotherapy). Blisters may occur.
More
information on the vaccinations:
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