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 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:
- be completely understood by strangers
- know their first and last name and gender
- relate events or tell a story
- hop on one foot
- walk up stairs, alternating feet
- identify some colors and numbers
- enjoy playing with other children
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.