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MyPyramid for Preschoolers
 

MyPyramid for Preschoolers is a tool that promotes healthy eating and exercise for two- to five-year-old preschoolers. Parents, caregivers, and health and nutrition educators may find this resource useful in providing children with physical activity suggestions and smart food options that can help them grow up healthy.

MyPyramid for Preschoolers
 
 
girl running up a pyramid with the words eat right, excercise now under it
 
Use MyPyramid to help your preschooler eat well, be active, and be healthy.
 
 
mother and daughter at a table eating
You are the most important influence on your child. You can do many things to help your children develop healthy eating habits for life.
 
 
Explore ways to help your preschooler:
 
Mom child walkingGrow Up healthy.
Complete a growth chart especially for your child to find out more about normal development.
Dad child breakfastFollow Food Safety Rules.
Preschoolers’ immune systems are still developing.
 
 
Mom child produceDevelop Healthy Eating Habits.
Raise a healthy eater by setting a good example and practicing positive habits.
Jungle gymPlay Actively Every Day.
Add physical activity into your preschooler’s day.
 
 
Mom child snackingTry New Foods.
Help for picky eaters.
 
 
 
 
 
In the Kitchen with your Preschooler:
 
Dad daughter platesSample Meals Patterns, Meals and Snacks
Meal and Snack Patterns

For each MyPyramid Plan calorie level there are two different sample Meal and Snack Patterns. These patterns are examples of how the MyPyramid Plan can be divided into meals and snacks for a preschooler. There are many ways to divide the amounts recommended from each food group into daily meals and snacks.

 
 
Mom two kids snackingKitchen Activities
Having your preschooler help you in the kitchen is a good way to get your child to try new foods.

Kids feel good about doing something “grown-up.” Give them small jobs to do. Praise their efforts. Children are much less likely to reject foods that they helped make.

As preschoolers grow, they are able to help out with different tasks in the kitchen. While the following suggestions are typical, children may develop these skills at different ages.

 
 
 
 
Additional Resources:
 
Mom child picnic“Make It Quick and Easy” Recipes
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Boy tumblingPhysical Activity Recommendations for Children
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
 
 
Mom serving childFood Safety Education
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service
MilkFoodsafety.gov
USDA, FDA, CDC, and EPA Food Safety Information
 
 
Boy stretchingBody Mass Index (BMI) Charts for Children
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Boy on bikeTV Time and Childhood Obesity
USDA Agricultural Research Service
 
 
Dr. and child weighingInformation About CDC Growth Charts
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Mom and child lunchReducing TV and Screen Time
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
 
 
Family around tableParenting Tips and Child Safety
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
 
 
 
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MyPyramid for Preschoolers. USDA. 2008. English.