Should I be giving my 3.5 yr old an afternoon snack

[prettydaffodil]

Our DD has never been a big eater. Her weight is fine, she's perfectly well padded enough but naturally long and lean (lucky girl). She has never had a big appetite and so I've tended never to give her snacks. She has a big breakfast, then has a mid morning snack at preschool. I then give her a big lunch (roast chicken, roast potatoes and veg or similar) and then she has supper at 5.30. She used not to eat anything but that has really improved and she now eats quite well. However, i've noticed that she seems to get very tired in the afternoon. She always has really since we stopped her afternoon sleep over a year ago. However, she refuses to go to bed and have a snooze so I encourage her to have a quiet and gentle 2 hours whilst DS sleeps and just read books, etc. which she loves but it seems to get her just as tired. Should I be giving her a snack and risking her not eating her supper or should I just make sure that she has a good chunk of down time? Will welcome all suggestions

DD is almost 5 and TBH she wouldn't eat her evening meal properly at all if she had a snack. It is only since we started eating tea a bit later that she has started to eat well in the evening, she has a large sandwich lunch usually and cooked evening meal.

You could always trial it for a few days, keep it smallish, like a crumpet or piece of fruit, couple of crackers with cheese.

I found that there was a huge gap between dropping the last nap (or be up partying until very late) and actually making it through the day without being shattered and miserable. My 3yo dropped his last nap about a year ago but occasionally he just keels over and sleeps, is very grotty most afternoons.

I have always given my DSs a snack both mid morning anf afternoon, to keep the blood sugar levels(and the mood) even.
Nothing huge, a ricecake and fruit/cheese etc.

oh my goodness - I read that as afternoon SMACK

I would give it a go if I were you, was what I meant to say before I hit the post button!

I have a daughter the same age and usually give her a piece of fruit in the afternoon. Keeps her going and doesn't seem to stop her having dinner. I wouldn't give her more than that though.