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Health Information For Parents
Your doctor and/or nurse will probably:
1. Check your child’s weight and height, calculate body mass index (BMI), and plot the measurements on the growth charts.
2. Check your child’s blood pressure, vision, and hearing using standard testing equipment.
3. Ask questions, address concerns, and offer advice about how your child is:
Eating. Schedule three meals and two nutritious snacks a day. If you have a picky eater, keep offering a variety of healthy foods for your child to choose from. Kids should be encouraged to give new foods a try, but don’t force them to eat them.
Peeing and pooping. By 4 years old, most kids are using the toilet. But many preschoolers who are potty trained during the day are not able to stay dry all night. It’s also common for busy preschoolers to have an occasional daytime accident. Look for signs of “holding it” and encourage regular potty breaks. Talk to your doctor if your child is not yet potty trained or was previously trained and is now having problems.
Sleeping. Preschoolers sleep about 10–13 hours a day. Many 4-year-olds have given up their afternoon nap, but be sure to schedule some quiet time during the day.
Developing. By 4 years, it’s common for many kids to:
4. Do a physical exam with your child undressed while you are present. This will include listening to the heart and lungs, observing motor skills, and talking to your child to assess speech and language development.
5. Update immunizations. Immunizations can protect kids from serious childhood illnesses, so it’s important that your child get them on time. Immunization schedules can vary from office to office, so talk to your doctor about what to expect.
6. Order tests. Your doctor may assess your child’s risk for anemia, lead, high cholesterol, and tuberculosis and order tests, if needed.
Here are some things to keep in mind until your child’s next checkup at 5 years:
These checkup sheets are consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Bright Futures guidelines.
These age-specific guides can help you be prepared for and keep track of your well-child visits.
The more comfortable you are with placing your child in preschool and the more familiar the setting is for your child, the fewer problems you – and your child – will encounter.
Enrolling your little one in preschool can be a time filled with many questions. Find out how to establish an open, clear channel of communication with your child’s preschool teacher.
Communicating with our kids is one of the most pleasurable and rewarding parts of parenting. Learn how to connect with your 4- to 5-year-old.
During the preschool years, kids are more willing to cooperate. So it’s a great time to teach them about healthy food choices in new and exciting ways.
Preschoolers have a lot of energy, and the physical skills and coordination to ride a tricycle or chase a butterfly.
Take advantage of your child’s natural tendency to be active. Staying fit can help improve kids’ self-esteem and decrease the risk of serious illnesses later in life.
Regular well-child exams are an important part of keeping kids healthy and up to date on immunizations against serious diseases. Find out what to expect at the doctor’s office.
Building a relationship with your child’s doctor requires communication and reasonable expectations.
Kids who are 4 to 5 years old continue to learn in a very physical way, but are more focused than when they were younger.
Kids ages 3-5 have tons of energy and are eager to walk, run, dance, and play. It’s a great age for exploration too.
Vaccines help keep kids healthy, but many parents still have questions about them. Get answers here.