Well child visits create a strong, trustworthy relationship among Provider, Parent and Child.  The American Academy of Pediatricians recommends a well-child visit once a year from age 3 through age 18 to make sure your child is physically, mentally and socially healthy.  These visits are also designed to allow you to address any concerns you may have about your child’s health or development.

What to Expect During Your Visit

Measurements - Your Provider will take your child’s measurements, such as weight, height and calculate body mass index (BMI) to determine if your child is growing normally.

Head-to-Toe Physical Exam – The Provider will do a physical exam of your child’s head, ears, eyes, mouth, skin, heart and lungs, abdomen, hips and legs, to determine if that your child is healthy.  Blood pressure, heart rate and breathing will be checked.

• For toddlers the Provider will complete a vision and hearing check and will ask questions to get a sense of your child’s mental, emotional and social development.  Examples are: 
  • Have any noticeable behavioral changes occurred. 
  • Your child’s and family’s general well-being. 
  • Your child’s language, hearing and social skills.
• For school-age check up the Provider will also ask questions to determine how active your child is, sleeping habits and reading skills.
• For teens the Provider will look for indications of alcohol, tobacco or drug use, depression, and your teenager’s sexual health.

Vaccines – Your child will need various vaccines at different ages to protect them from diseases such as hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, chickenpox and others.  Your Provider will discuss each of these vaccines in detail with you before they are administered and only with your consent.

Questions – This visit will provide you with the opportunity to discuss any questions you may have about your child.  The Provider will also ask you questions about how things are going.  Your Provider is there to help you and your child be healthy, safe and happy.  We have many resources to assist you with your child’s health and well-being, but also with your own health.   It takes healthy parents to keep children healthy!