What to Expect During This Visit
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 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 your child's:
Eating. Schedule three meals and one or two nutritious snacks a day. Serve your child a well-balanced diet that includes lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Kids this age should get 2½ cups (600 ml) of low-fat milk daily (or equivalent low-fat dairy products or a fortified milk alternative).
Limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar and fat, and offer no more than 4–6 ounces (120–180 ml) of 100% juice per 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.
Bathroom habits. Bladder and bowel control is usually mastered by this age. Bedwetting is more common in boys and deep sleepers, and in most cases it ends on its own. But talk to your doctor if your child was previously dry at night and is now wetting the bed.
Sleeping. Kids this age need about 9 to 12 hours of sleep per night. Lack of sleep can cause behavior problems and make it hard to pay attention at school. Set a bedtime that allows for enough sleep and establish a relaxing bedtime routine. Turn off the TV and digital devices at least 1 hour before bedtime, and keep them out of your child's bedroom.
Physical activity. Children this age should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Set limits on screen time, including TV, DVDs, video games, smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Development. By 6 years, it's common for many kids to:
- walk heel-to-toe
- tie their shoes
- start reading, spelling, and doing simple addition and subtraction
- write their first and last names and short sentences
- begin to know the difference between fantasy and reality
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 with your child to assess language skills.
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, high cholesterol, lead, and tuberculosis and order tests, if needed.