4 year old feeding schedule: Amounts and food chart

Preschoolers are really coming into their own and developing into amazing little kids. This extends to their eating habits too! Many parents find a welcome relief from some picky eating behaviors at this age, though your kiddo will likely still have strong food preferences. Keep reading for more information on feeding your four year old.

4 year old preschooler sample feeding schedule

As your child gets further into the preschool years, many parents begin to see a shift in eating behaviors. For some, picky eating behaviors start to fade and their four year old becomes a more adventurous eater. They continue to eat the same foods the family eats and like to put their own spin on meals such as building their own sandwich or pasta dish. 

Preschoolers will likely need to eat every 3 - 4 hours, adding up to about four to five times a day. Children at this age may start to go longer between meals and snacks. Their ability to eat more at meals grows and they are often involved in other activities such as preschool or sports that impact their eating patterns. 

Below is a sample feeding schedule for a 4 year old.  

How much to feed a 4 year old: Food chart

Continue offering a variety of foods to your four year old without pressure or expectation that they try them. You might be surprised what they start to try now that they are a little bit older. Offering simple choices at mealtime can help get a preschooler excited about mealtime. 

4 year old feeding chart 

5 tips for feeding your 4 year old 

Tip #1: Model healthy food habits

Preschoolers are highly impressionable and may be more apt to do as you do, rather than to do as you say. In this case, do your best to work on your own relationship with food and model healthy food habits for them. Try eating a variety of foods, avoid labeling foods as good or bad, and keep talk about weight in check.

Tip #2: Serve meals family-style

As your child gets older, they can be more involved with getting meals ready. If you haven’t already, try serving at least some meals family-style. This means putting all the components of the meal on the table and letting everyone serve themselves - including your kiddo! This gives them autonomy, and choice and helps them learn about what size portions feel good for their body.

Tip #3: Choose drinks carefully 

When it comes to beverages, your four year old should drink mostly water or milk. Other drinks such as juice and soft drinks carry little nutritional value and are often full of unwanted added sugars. and milk now helps to shape your child’s taste preferences and helps them to continue drinking them in the future. 

Tip #4: Offer regular meal and snack times

At this age, your child may start to go longer between meals and snacks. They may even skip snacks from time to time. However, continue to offer meals and snacks at regular intervals instead of relying on them to tell you they are hungry. Sticking to a routine is helpful for your child to learn about their hunger and fullness cues.

Tip #5: Understand portion sizes

While your child starts to feel more and more like a small adult at mealtime, it’s important to remember they are not. Children, even those who eat large meals at times, should be served portions appropriate for their age. While it may seem easier to give large portions at the start of the meal, this can be overwhelming for your child. Start with a small portion and let them ask for more if they are hungry.

Night feedings for a 4 year old

At four years old, children should not need to eat overnight. In fact, waking up to eat in the middle of the night would likely impact their sleep negatively. Offer plenty of opportunities to eat throughout the day and introduce a simple bedtime snack if necessary. If your child struggles with night wakings due to hunger, talk with your pediatrician. 

Takeaway

Feeding a four year old can be really fun! They are able to participate in the family meals more and more, and many kids at this age enjoy helping prepare simple meals and snacks. Preschoolers' taste preferences are still forming so continue to offer a variety of healthy foods and model eating the foods you’d like your child to enjoy.

If you’re curious about what lies ahead when it comes to feeding, check out a . Take a look back at how far you’ve come by revisiting a .