Child's Well Visit, 4 Years: Care Instructions
Your child may like to sing songs, hop, and dance at 4 years old. They may be more independent and prefer to
get dressed without your help.
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Many children can draw a person with a head, a body, and arms or legs. They know their own first and
last name.
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They may know what is real and what is pretend. Most will play make-believe and tell short stories.
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Forming healthy eating habits
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Give your child healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables.
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Offer water when your child is thirsty. Avoid juice and soda pop.
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Make meals a time for family. Remove screens, and eat together.
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Let your child choose how much they eat. If they aren't hungry, it's okay for them to wait until the next
meal or snack.
Being active as a family
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Let your child play and be active for at least 1 hour every day.
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Visit the park. Go for walks and bike rides, if you can.
Practicing healthy habits
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Help your child brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
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Limit screen time to 1 hour or less a day.
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Put sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) on your child before going outside.
Keeping your child safe
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Always use a car seat. Install it in the back seat.
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Watch your child around water, play equipment, stairs, and busy roads.
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Keep guns away from children. If you have guns, lock them up unloaded. Lock ammunition away from guns.
Parenting your child
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Give your child love and attention.
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Let your child help with simple chores, like taking dishes to the sink.
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Praise good behavior. Don't yell or spank. Your child learns from watching and listening to you.
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Don't use food as a reward or punishment.
Getting vaccines
Make sure your child gets all the recommended vaccines.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all
appointments, and call your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your
child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
Current as of: October 24, 2023
Content Version: 14.0
Care instructions adapted under license by your
healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask
your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of
this information.