4 to 5 years
Your Child's Development
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Your child can stand on 1 foot for at least 4 seconds.
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He can catch a ball with born arms extended.
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He will start favoring one hand.
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He can draw a circle or a cross, without an example.
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he can eat on his own without making a mess.
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He can dress and undress without help (expect buttons, zippers, etc.).
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He can count at least 4 objects.
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He can tell a short story in 2 or 3 sentences.
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He can name 4 colors.
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He can role play.
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He can use certain verb tenses.
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He knows to wait his turn.
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He shows empathy and comforts others.
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He plays in collaboration with friends.
Health Care
Children play outside a lot at this age. They need to be dressed appropriately for the weather.
In clement weather, good sneakers are important to avoid accidents like tripping and to protect their feet against glass and other unwanted objects that might be in a playground or on the street. A washing each day is necessary if they play in dirt but choose soft soap and clean, soft water to avoid skin problems. If your child has eczema, keep the area clean and dry as much as possible, and consult the CMC for medical care, if needed.
In the winter period, watch for frostbite. A good snow suit and boots are needed as well as a warm hat, scarf (that can be pulled up to right under the eyes) and good water-resistant mitts. Vaseline can be applied in a thin layer on areas that are exposed.
Children often get sick with gastros and common colds at that age. If your child has a fever, make sure he stays hydrate. Fever is best measured with a rectal thermometer. You need to consult immediately if your child:
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is convulsing;
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has difficulty breathing;
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had a fever more than 3 days at any age, and;
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if you are very worried;
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For regular check-ups, have your child seen at the Clinic. It is important to follow the specific recommended time period for vaccines for them to be efficient.
Sleep
Your child can now follow a bedtime routine by himself:
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He can put on his pyjamas
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He can brush his teeth aided by a little stool
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He can put himself to bed, but will need you to comfort him and pull up the blankets
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Reading him a story in bed or chatting softly with lights low can help sooth him into sleepiness
Naps
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Some children may still need naps in the afternoon
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If your child goes to bed early, naps are probably not necessary
Night terrors
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Some children are prone to waking up terrified at night and it is difficult to calm them
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Night terrors occur in about 6% of children and can seem like a panic attack
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The child seems to be awake, but is still in a state of sleep
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Holding them closely and soothing them can help have it pass; if you are worried, please consult your CMC
The Child that does not Want to Sleep Alone
A bedtime routine is what many parents find helpful when putting their child to sleep. A time reserved for a nice quiet story or a simple and tender moment with the child already in his bed is also a good transition. Some children are afraid of the dark or of being alone. Staying until the child is asleep is sometimes the best we can do. Bring yourself a book or organize the next day in your head while you are near your child, usually helps the parents pass the time. Texting or Facebooking stimulates the mind and disturbs the sleep cycle.
Nutrition - MEECHUM - Syllabics
At 4 to 5 years old
Your child will have been eating the same foods as the rest of the family for some time now. It is important to show him traditional food is the best nutrition for him. Try to avoid ready-made meals, or easy meals such as boxed Mac'n Cheese, hot-dogs and and nutrient-poor meals. A cheese sandwich, a good soup with added protein and Gookum's home-made traditional stews and mixes are usually the best type of meals,
Traditional Foods are best
Elders and Gookums cook specific foods that are very healthy, full of calcium and proteins. Add thinly-cut celery sticks and carrots They are inexpensive and a good snack. Poligee (cooked oatmeal) with blueberries are a much better breakfast than store bought sugary cereals. Many traditional foods are perfect to provide the much needed iron your child needs. Nismshe (fish) with blueberries is also a good traditional recipe, always offer insect-eating fish.
Milk in a child's diet
Water is the best drink for children, and you can offer cow's milk at meals or as a snack. Consult your clinic nurse or doctor if you feel your child does not tolerate cow's milk. It is a strong source of calcium, vitamin D and protein and you need to replace those nutrients in your child's diet.
Food Allergies
Food allergy is always important for all the community to know about. Many people think that a little bit of the allergen in a food will not be problematic for the allergic child. In fact, it is a life or death situation. If offered a food containing an ingredients he is allergic tom a child can see his airway obstructed by his airway closing up. He will need an epipen shot and will need to be brought to the clinic asap, in the next 15 minutes. Daycare need to ban all allergens containing foods from their menu when one child is allergic. This prevents many accidents and might avoid an accidental death.
Consult your CMC nutritionist if there is a family history of food allergies in your family or in your partners.
At 4 or 5 years old, children tend to understand better what can be dangerous but he is still not fully aware of all that can happen to him. Sometimes parents think the child is old enough for them to hold parties at their house. Because of the nature of a party itself, because people drink and are rarely aware of their actions, parties should never be held in a house when there are children present, wether the children are sleeping or not. Ideally, you would see about leaving them with trusted family or friends.
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Cigarettes and marijuana: Children often get their hands on ashtrays, cigarettes, and more, left on coffee or side tables. A small quantity can be toxic to a child. Furthermore, second hand smoke is harmful to babies, children and adults but, it is much more harmfull to babies and children as they breath faster than adults.
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Call the Poison Center of your children ate or drank hazardous products (Poison Control Center 1 800 463-5060).
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Medications and house cleaning products: Always keep your house cleaning products and medication out of the reach of babies, toddlers and children. Ideally, all these dangerous products should be stored in a high place. Children are quite creative and smart. They will find ways to reach the products if they are not stored in a secured and high place. Call the Poison Center of your children ate or drank hazardous products (Poison Control Center 1 800 463-5060).
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Pets: Young children are completely defenceless in front of a pet and pets are imprevisible in their actions. Never leave your child unattended with a dog, cat or any other animal. Young children's faces on usually at the exact height of a dogs mouth and a bite can occur quickly without any warning. Cats are just as dangerous as they are very agile and will grab a child's body with his four paws and claws and bite the child to the face. Wild animals can carry Rabies and wild birds can carry Avian flu.
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Bicycling, skidoos and 4-wheelers: Children love to ride scooters and bikes and more. It is a wonderful exercice from them. It is still very important to always wear a safety helmet. Many children find this is not cool, but the more children wear them, the more others will wear them. The helmet protect them from getting head trauma.
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Street safety: It is a common sight to see children playing in the street. Please teach your children about the danger of cars and trucks. Teach them to play safely. The risk is even greater in winter when vehicules cannot see children coming from behind a snowbank or if they slide towards the street.