Tooth diseases due to lack of hygiene

After a period of rapid growth and feeding marked by the introduction of new foods, the acquisition of habits, the close supervision of parents or caregivers at the table and frequent pediatric control of the child, the preschool period begins -from 3 to 6 years- and the school period -from 6 to 12 years-, characterized by a slow and stable growth that ends at puberty -first phase of adolescence-, where growth accelerates again.

The development of the child during the preschool and school stages has some common characteristics such as the gradual improvement of eating habits and the decisive role of outdoor physical activities in the physical and intellectual development of infants.

We should also consider some characteristics that differentiate both stages, in order to achieve the maintenance and consolidation of nutritional habits and healthy lifestyles, which will allow children to face the difficult period of adolescence, which they will reach in a short period of time, in better conditions.

Peculiarities of preschool children's development -between 3 and 6 years of age- that affect their nutrition

During the preschool stage, the child's longitudinal growth is slow and stable, from 6 to 8 centimeters per year; while the increase in body weight is 2 to 3 kilograms per year.

The psychological development of preschoolers includes the gradual incorporation of motor skills -gaining more independence at feeding time-; at the same time, they develop language learning and expand their affective and social relationships with those around them.

In the preschool stage, the family continues to play a preponderant role in the formation and consolidation of eating habits and customs; however, preschoolers attending daycare centers will be strongly influenced by the educators and children with whom they live most of the day.

Preschoolers at certain stages show signs of inappetence and rejection of certain flavors or foods, which in most cases disappear as the days go by. Parents and caregivers during these periods should be more creative in the way foods are presented and never insist or force the child to eat more. In addition, they should go with the child to the pediatrician if the lack of appetite lasts for many days, or if their cycles are repeated frequently.

Peculiarities of school children's development - between 6 and 12 years of age - that have an impact on their nutrition

The longitudinal growth of the child during the school stage is also slow and stable, from 5 to 6 centimeters per year -somewhat less than during the preschool stage-. On the other hand, the increase in body weight at the beginning of the stage is between 3 and 3.5 kilograms per year and at the end - entering puberty - it is between 4 and 4.5 kilograms per year.

The psychological development of school children is manifested by the increase of learning and receptive abilities -reading, writing, calculating, etc.-; therefore, it constitutes an exceptional opportunity to enrich their nutritional education through family dialogue.

Children between 6 and 12 years of age continue to be influenced by family eating habits and customs; however, these are becoming less important as schoolchildren spend less time at home and are very vulnerable to the influences of the media, the school canteen and educators.

All this favors the onset of inadequate nutritional behaviors in children, such as disrespect for meal times, incomplete breakfast and the consumption of unhealthy foods between meals -chips, sugary drinks, crackers or cookies, etc.- instead of nuts, rusks, well-cooked eggs, cheese or natural yogurt.

Schoolchildren generally do not show signs of lack of appetite or rejection of tastes or foods; however, there are great differences between the amounts of food demanded by each of them. This phenomenon is closely related, of course, to the level of physical activity they develop -the more physical exercise, the better their appetite-.

Importance of play and physical activity in the first years of life

Play: Play is one of the main activities during infancy since it contributes to the development of habits and skills necessary for the child's interrelation with the surrounding environment and contributes to the development of language