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.