Your 10-year-old's Well-Child Visit: Let's talk about this!

Hello! Your child is now 10 years old, right? This age is really a special time. The child is no longer a little baby, but is gradually becoming a big child, a young child. So, during this time, the tests and discussions with the doctor may be a little different. Let's see what happens at this 10-year ``Well-Child Visit``, that is, during the doctor's visit to check the child's well-being, and what you need to know as a parent?

What usually happens during this medical examination?

When you go to see the doctor with your baby, the doctor and/or nurse will do a few things. Don't worry, this is all to make sure your baby is healthy.

First things first

First, the child's weight and height are measured. Then, using those values, the `BMI` (Body Mass Index) value is calculated. Simply put, this is used to see if the child has a suitable weight for his height. These measurements are plotted on a `(Growth Chart)`, a graph that records the child's growth. Then, you can clearly see how the child is growing compared to other children of his age.

Next, the child's blood pressure , vision , and hearing are checked. There is nothing to worry about as standard equipment is used for this.

Questions asked and advice given by the doctor/doctor

Then comes the most important part. The doctor will ask you and your child questions, talk about your concerns, and give you advice that is appropriate for your child's age. Let's see what the main topics are.

How about food and drink?

This is very important, isn't it?

• The doctor will ask how many times a day the child eats and what they eat. It is usually best to give a child this age three main meals and one or two nutritious snacks .
• Just because you say food doesn't mean you can't give something, right? You need to provide a balanced diet . That means, good proteins (like fish, meat, eggs, chickpeas, lentils), grains (like rice, whole-wheat rice, things made from atta flour, like kurakkan), fresh fruits and vegetables , and low-fat dairy foods (like yogurt, skimmed milk) should definitely be on your child's plate.
• It's best to give your baby about 720 ml of low-fat milk per day, which is about three large cups . Alternatively, you can give him another dairy product that's in the same amount, or even soy milk with added calcium.
• It's best to eat fruits and vegetables at least five times a day . Choose fruits and vegetables that are of different colors.
• However, foods high in sugar, salt, and fat should be reduced as much as possible . The more you keep your child away from things like sweetened drinks, packaged foods from the store, toffee, and chocolate, the better.
• If you do offer fruit drinks, limit them to 100% fruit juice, and limit them to 240 ml (a little less than a regular glass) per day . It's best to give the fruit whole.
• Another important thing is to teach your child to eat when they are hungry and stop eating when they are full . This can help prevent them from gaining weight unnecessarily.

How is your sleep?

A child of this age definitely needs between 9 and 12 hours of sleep per night .

• Not getting enough sleep makes it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork and also affects a child's memory.
• Therefore, set a bedtime that allows your child to get enough sleep. It's a good idea to get into the habit of going to bed at the same time every day.
• Develop habits that can help you relax before bed (e.g. reading a book, listening to calming music).
• Do not keep electronic devices like TVs, computers, tablets, and phones in your child's bedroom. They can disrupt sleep.

How is physical activity?

A child this age should be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day .

• That means running around, jumping, and playing sports.
• At the same time, `Screen time` (i.e., time spent in front of TV, video games, smartphones, tablets, and computers) should be limited . Excessive use of these is not good for a child's eyes, physical health, or mental health.

About Child Growth and Development

The age of 10 is a time of great physical and mental changes in a child. At this age, children typically exhibit the following characteristics:

• Trying to be a little more independent from family, preferring to be with friends.
• Often tempted to associate with friends of the same sex .
• They are interested in learning more about a subject they are interested in and reading books .
• They are motivated to successfully complete more challenging tasks at school (e.g., collecting information and writing a report).
• They start to help with small chores around the house and do their schoolwork responsibly.
• The most important thing is to start showing signs of puberty . This is a very natural thing.
• You may notice things like oily skin, acne, and increased body odor.
• Girls' breasts begin to develop, and hair begins to grow in the armpits and private areas.
• Boys start to grow body hair, and their testicles and penis begin to enlarge. Talk to your child about this and explain that these are normal things.

Physical examination

The doctor examines the child.

• Listening to the heart and lungs.
• They also check for any sideways curvature of the spine (a condition such as scoliosis).
• Examines the signs of puberty.

Important: It is essential that a parent, guardian, or other adult be with the child during this test. If the child has siblings, please keep them in the waiting room at this time to give the child the privacy they need.

Renewal of Vaccines

Vaccines are very important to protect children from serious diseases. So, make sure your child gets their vaccines on time. Vaccination schedules may vary slightly at different medical centers, so talk to your doctor and be aware of it.

Tests as needed

Sometimes the doctor may order tests to check for certain medical conditions in the child. For example:

• Anemia
• Increased blood cholesterol levels (High Cholesterol)
• Tuberculosis

Usually, tests are only done if there is suspicion about things like this.

Things to pay attention to going forward (until the child is 11 years old)

Well, after you've seen the doctor, there are a few things you need to be aware of until your child's next well-child checkup (at age 11).

About school work

• Encourage your child to participate in a variety of activities . This means things he or she enjoys, such as music, art, sports, and after-school clubs. But don't overwork your child . There should be time for freedom and relaxation.
• Praise your child when they do something well, and if they have a difficult subject or something , help and support them.
• Create a quiet place to work at home. Minimize distractions like TV and phone.
• Some children may have difficulty with schoolwork. If this happens, work with the school's teachers to find out why. It could be a learning or attention problem, bullying at school, or other stressors.
• Talk to your child about the dangers of smoking, vaping, alcohol, and drugs . Explain the possible negative consequences of these.
• Teach your child to use technology wisely . A simple rule is: "Don't text, post, or send photos online that you wouldn't show to your grandma or grandpa." Make this clear to your child.

About the child's personal things and feelings

• Spend some time with your child every day . Eat meals together, engage in activities together, and talk about things that are important to your child.
• Set rules, make your expectations clear . Give fair consequences for breaking the rules. Praise for good behavior.
• Be prepared to answer your child's questions about puberty and the feelings associated with it . Encourage your child to talk to you about their problems and fears.
• Girls usually have their first menstruation about 2 years after their breasts begin to develop.
• Boys may have wet dreams , their voices may deepen, and they may start to break. Make your child understand that these are normal.
• Encourage your child to shower/wash their clothes every day . If body odor is a problem, tell them to use a deodorant.
• Remind your child that it is never okay for any adult to tell you to keep a secret . It is not okay for anyone to look at, touch, or ask your child to look at their private parts. Educate your child about this.
• The child should brush their teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and see a dentist every 6 months .

Things to consider regarding safety

Even at this age, there are many things to think about regarding a child's safety.

• The child should ride in the back seat of the car . Also, a booster seat should be used until the child is 4 feet 9 inches (about 150 centimeters) tall. Children usually reach this height between the ages of 8-12.
• Make sure to wear a helmet when riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter. Wear appropriate protective gear (e.g., mouth guard, pads) when playing sports.
• Teach your child to swim, but only let him swim when an adult is watching .
• Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher at least 15 minutes before going outside. Reapply every 2 hours.
• Protect your child from secondhand smoke when others smoke .
• Be aware of your child's Internet use . Keep the computer at home where you can see it. Set up `safety filters`, check the `browser history` to see what `websites` your child visits. Teach your child not to give out personal information online to anyone.
• Do not keep firearms at home . If you do, keep them empty, locked, and out of reach of children. Keep ammunition locked separately. Keep keys out of reach of children.
• If you have concerns about your living situation, such as whether you have the things you need to care for your child (e.g., enough food, a safe home, health insurance), talk to your doctor about it . They can then refer you to community resources or a social worker for guidance.

The most important thing for you to remember (Take-Home Message)

10 years is a time of many changes and new challenges in a child's life. This ``Well-Child Visit``, or wellness check-up, is the best opportunity to ensure that the child is growing up healthy, happy, and safe.

The most important thing is to talk openly with your child, listen to him, and give him love and support. Let your child know that you are with him no matter what the problem is. Then you will both be able to get through this time beautifully and successfully!

` Child Health, 10-Year Checkup, Medical Examination, Well-Child Visit, BMI, Nutrition, Sleep, Child Development, Puberty, Vaccinations, Vaccines, Child Safety, School, Screen Time, Parenting