Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Check out some information and advice on the health and wellbeing of preschoolers.

It takes time and a lot of practice for tamariki (children) to learn the skill of nose blowing. Whānau (family) need to be patient and find the best way to support their tamariki. Giving lots of praise, making up games, and keeping it fun helps.

Tantrums are common in tamariki (children). They are a normal part of child development. Find out what you can do when they happen.

Not all tamariki (children) are the same when it comes to toilet training. Find out how to support your child to start toilet training.

There are many reasons why tamariki (children) may be having trouble with their sleep. The Murdoch Children's Research Institute has podcasts and sleep strategies that can help you to manage some of the sleep issues tamariki may have.

Tamariki (children) need sleep to grow and develop. Sleep needs vary and change as they grow. Your child's sleep needs may differ from other tamariki their age. Knowing what to expect at each stage helps you understand their sleep needs as they grow.

To give others easy access to KidsHealth's content for parents and whānau on learning, development, health and wellbeing in preschoolers, you can share a QR code poster. Anyone can scan one of the QR codes with their phone and go straight to the relevant KidsHealth page.

Your child will have most of their baby teeth by the age of 2. Find out how you can look after them when they are toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Keep your child safe in the car. Make sure your baby is in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old. Keep your child in a booster seat until they are 148cm tall - for most tamariki (children), that's somewhere between 10 and 12 years of age.

Vitamin D helps your baby use calcium to build and maintain strong bones.

Tamariki (children) at 3 to 5 years of age are busy, are interested in new things and enjoy being active. Learn more about keeping your child safe and healthy.

Watch a video to see 3 different whānau share their stories about the rewards and challenges of being parents. We hear how the Well Child Tamariki Ora nurses give them support and advice about caring for your child from 1 to 5 years of age.

Find out about looking after yourself after baby is born and how your whānau (family) and partner can support you.

Rewards can really motivate a child to improve their behaviour. They work best if given soon after the behaviour, not after a few days.

Tamariki (children) with restless legs have an uncomfortable feeling in their legs when trying to fall asleep. If your child has restless legs, find out how you can manage this.

Night terrors are scary to watch but usually harmless to tamariki (children). The most important thing to do when your child has a night terror is to keep your child safe.