The MyHealth.Alberta.ca Network showcases trusted, easy-to-use health and wellness resources from Alberta Health Services and Alberta-based partner organizations. The network is led by MyHealth.Alberta.ca, Alberta’s source for consumer health information. Our partners are committed to helping Albertans better manage their health and wellbeing. Health experts across Alberta make sure that the information on these sites is accurate and up-to-date.

MyHealth.Alberta.ca Network
I'm a Parent
Feeding Your PreschoolerPreschoolers: 3 and 4 Year Olds

Introduction

A healthy feeding relationship and eating together as a family continues to support healthy eating habits.

On this page, you’ll learn what to offer your preschooler. You’re still responsible for what, when and where food is offered. Your preschooler is responsible for choosing whether to eat and how much to eat.

Eating well

Eating well

A healthy feeding relationship and eating together as a family continues to set healthy eating habits. You’re still responsible for what, when and where food is offered. Your preschooler is responsible for choosing whether to eat and how much to eat.

Preschoolers are busy all day long so they need to eat often. Yet, they have smaller appetites and stomachs than adults and find it hard to sit still for very long. Preschoolers do best when they eat 3 meals and 2−3 snacks spaced evenly throughout the day, whether they’re at home or away. To learn more, visit Alberta Health Services – Feeding Toddlers and Young Children. 

To help your preschooler eat well, offer:

Preschooler standing in front of a produce display at a grocery store, lifting up a bundle of carrots.Parent rolling out dough with a rolling pin while their preschooler, standing on a platform in front of parent, holds onto the rolling pin and helps.A plate showing balanced portions of different food groups: half the plate is filled with vegetables and fruits, a quarter with protein-rich foods, and the other quarter with whole grains. The image also emphasizes drinking water as the preferred beverage. The caption suggests eating a variety of healthy foods daily.
Eat a variety of healthy foods each day.

Preschoolers love to come up with and act on their own ideas and plans, in everything they do. In terms of eating, they may want to start helping to prepare or serve food. Cooking with your child teaches them many skills, they’ll love spending time with you and it may help them be more interested in trying new foods. Learn more about helping out at home.

It’s normal for your preschooler to want to eat only certain foods, or to enjoy something one day and dislike it the next. You may worry that your child is fussy about what they’ll eat. They may just be making their own choices. Learn more about eating behaviours.

A few simple table manners can make meals more enjoyable at home and when eating away from home. Decide which table manners are important for your family. When you use these manners all the time, your preschooler will learn to use them too. Learn more about eating away from home.

Vitamin D for your preschooler

Give your preschooler a supplement of 400 IU vitamin D, every day. Most children do not need multivitamins. If you have questions, check with your health care provider.