Thriving at 3 
Tips for Parents
Children Ages 1 to 3
Health & Daily Care
Common Health Issues
- Chickenpox - This itchy virus causes red blisters on the body which children find impossible not to scratch. Once the chickenpox virus has run its course, it then stays dormant in the body and can return many years later as ‘shingles’. It is contagious, so you will need to keep them away from other children until the last blister has healed over. The easiest way to avoid chickenpox is to have your child immunized.
- Vomiting and diarrhea - Both are common in toddlers since they tend to put everything their mouth. Offer your child small amounts of clear fluid regularly until the problem passes. If you are worried that they are not getting better, ask your health care professional for advice.
- Bladder infection – This is also known as a urinary tract infection and is more common in girls. You may notice she needs to urinate more often and may be irritable or have a mild fever. For girls, wiping front to back will prevent most bladder infections. Bladder infections are treated with oral antibiotics from your doctor.
Nutrition & Fitness
5 Basic Nutritional Needs
(By focusing on a balance between the following five areas of nutrition your child will be able to develop and grow up healthier)
- Protein - Builds bodies and keeps children strong and healthy. Try feeding your toddler peas and beans, eggs, fish, chicken, meat, milk, yogurt and low-fat cheese.
- Fruits and Vegetables – Both contain nutrients and fiber that are important for a healthy body inside and out. The more colorful the fruit or vegetable, the more nutrients it has and the better it is for your child. Offer colorful fruits such as peaches, apricots, pears and apples. Offer vegetables like broccoli, green beans, carrots, sweet potato, tomatoes, spinach, and cucumber. By keeping the skin of the fruits and vegetables your child will receive a greater amount of the nutrients from these foods.
- Starches - Carbohydrates provide energy. The more fiber they contain, the slower they burn. Try fiber-enriched bread, whole grain rice, pasta, corn bread, pancakes and low-sugar cereal.
- Good Fats – Those with essential fatty acids build brain and nerve cells. These good fats are found in fish, avocado, and vegetable oils such as those made from olives or canola. You should try to avoid deep-frying in these delicate unsaturated oils.
- Tap Water – It is the cheapest and best source of fluids. It is also fortified with fluoride for strong teeth. When you do give your child juice it would be best to mix it half and half with water
Walking, running, jumping, throwing, climbing and playing all benefit your child in many ways. These activities give strong bones and muscles, a healthy heart, lungs and arteries, as well as improved coordination, balance, posture and flexibility. Physical activity also increases overall metabolism all day long, which reduces the risk of becoming overweight or obese and lessens their changes of developing heart disease, cancer and diabetes in the future.
Safety
- Inside the Home - The best way to keep your child safe in your home is to get down to their level and look around. What can you see down there that might be dangerous? You can then remove anything that could be potentially harmful in order to avoid constantly telling them ‘no’.
- Outdoors – Toddlers burn very easily so remember sunscreen and a hat.
- In the Car - Always buckle your child in the proper car restraint for their age and weight. Children left in cars overheat very quickly, so don’t be tempted to leave them while you make a quick stop, instead always take them with you.
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Information derived from: The Raising Children Network, 2006 http://raisingchildren.net.au/
