Preschool Child
CASE STUDY: Ricky Ricky, age 4 years, arrives in the clinic with his mother. Ricky lives with his mother and father, who both work full-time, and his infant sister. Their extended family lives in a different state more than 100 miles away. Both parents are of average height and in good health. Ricky’s mother mentions that Ricky often expresses frustration, particularly in regard to food. Conflict over food occurs every day. Mealtime is a battle to get him to eat, unless his mother feeds him. Ricky’s baby sister seems to tolerate all baby foods but requires her mother to spoon-feed. Ricky’s mother is quite frustrated and concerned that he will become malnourished.
1. What additional assessment information would you collect? Explain
2. What questions would you ask, and how would you further explore this issue with the mother? Explain
3. In what ways does the distance of the extended family influence this family’s approach to health promotion?
4. What factors would you consider to determine whether malnourishment is a factor in this family?
Sample Solution
Preschoolers are kids that are three or four years old. He is no longer a toddler, whether or not your child is enrolled in a structured preschool program. Preschoolers are different from toddlers in that they are beginning to acquire the fundamental knowledge, independence, and life skills they will need as they start school. Children in preschool are developing a wide range of new skills and pushing their cognitive limits. What your preschooler should be able to do is broken down below by Meg Meeker, M.D., a doctor in Traverse City, Michigan, and the best-selling author of six parenting books. Although these are the main abilities to watch for, keep in mind that each child develops differently and may master some abilities before others.
