Nutrition
Nutrition plays an important part of your child's physical and mental development, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics on the website, HealthyChildren.org. Calcium is needed to develop healthy bones and teeth, and protein and fats are necessary to give your child energy and help him grow. The AAP warns that once children start attending school and have more choices in what they eat for lunch in the cafeteria, they may stock up on sugary sodas, candy bars and chips rather than a well-balanced meal with the nutrients their growing bodies need.