The mother of a child who is 2 year 6 months in age has arranged a play date with the neighbor and her child who is 2 year 9 months old. During the play date the two mothers should expect that the children will do which of the following?

Preschoolers, typically between the ages of 3 and 5 years, engage in imaginative and pretend play. They often create scenarios, role-play, and use their imagination to create fictional situations and characters. This type of play is important for their cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Building a section of cards and controlling impulsive feelings are not specific developmental tasks typically associated with preschoolers. While building with blocks or other construction toys can enhance fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities, building a section of cards is not a common developmental milestone. Controlling impulsive feelings is an ongoing process that develops over time and requires guidance and support from parents and caregivers, but it is not solely expected of preschoolers.

It is important to recognize that picky eating is a common behavior among preschool-age children and may be a normal part of their development. Children at this age often exhibit preferences for certain foods and may be resistant to trying new foods or eating a wide variety of foods. It is important for parents to understand that this behavior is generally temporary and will likely improve over time.

The nurse should reassure the mother that it is normal for young children to have fluctuations in their appetite and food preferences. Encouraging a positive mealtime environment and offering a variety of healthy foods is important, but pressuring or forcing the child to eat can lead to negative associations with food and mealtime.

Emphasizing the quantity of food consumed over the quality is not recommended, as it may promote unhealthy eating habits. It is important to prioritize offering a balanced diet with a variety of nutrient-rich foods.

Adding fruit juice to the child's diet to increase vitamin intake is not recommended as the primary strategy. Fruit juice is often high in sugar and low in fiber, and excessive consumption can contribute to poor eating habits and dental caries. It is better to focus on offering whole fruits and vegetables for their nutritional benefits.

Having the child remain at the table after meals to increase food intake is not recommended either. It is important to respect the child's appetite and avoid creating negative associations with mealtime. Forcing a child to stay at the table can increase mealtime stress and may further reinforce picky eating behaviors.

Overall, the nurse should provide reassurance to the mother, promote a positive mealtime environment, offer a variety of healthy foods, and allow the child to regulate their own food intake.