Your 6-year-old's Well-Child Visit: Shall we talk about this?

Your little one is six years old now, right? As he grows up, we need to be very careful about his health. The medical check-up at this age, called the 'Well-Child Visit', is very important. So, let's see what happens at this doctor's appointment and what you need to know? This is like a little chat with your doctor or aunt.

What can you expect at this doctor's appointment?

So when you and your child go to see the doctor, these are the things that usually happen. There's nothing to worry about, it's all for the best interest of your child.

Initial physical examination

The doctor or nurse first measures the child's weight and height , and calculates the BMI, which is a measure of whether the child is at a healthy weight for his or her height (doctors call it the Body Mass Index). These measurements are then plotted on the child's growth chart. This is how we measure the growth of a plant in our homes. In addition, the child's blood pressure, vision, and hearing are also checked using standard testing equipment. These are very simple tests that do not cause any discomfort to the child.

Questions asked and advice given by the doctor

Next, the doctor will ask you about your child's daily life and habits. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have and to talk about any concerns your child may have. Don't be shy about asking anything that comes to mind.

Should we be concerned about food and drink?

"Tell me a little bit, how is the baby's eating?" the doctor might ask.

• Typically, a child of this age should be given three main meals and one or two nutritious snacks per day.
• The food given to the child should be balanced . This means that it should include lean protein, whole grains (e.g., beans, bran rice), fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy.
• It's best to give your baby about 600 milliliters of low-fat milk (about 2 ½ regular cups) a day. You can also give him other low-fat dairy products (like yogurt, skim milk) or fortified soy milk.
• Foods high in sugar, salt, and fat should be reduced as much as possible. It is not good to give things like sweet drinks, toffee, and chocolate frequently.
• Don't give more than 120-180 milliliters (4-6 ounces) of 100% fruit juice per day. It's better to feed the fruit as is.
• Some children are picky eaters . Imagine, Nimali's daughter says she can't eat vegetables. If she is such a child, continue to offer a variety of nutritious foods so that she can choose. You should encourage children to try new foods, but don't force them. Doing so may make the child even more reluctant to eat.
• It is also important at this time to teach your child to understand the feelings of hunger and fullness.

How are your toilet habits?

By this age, children should generally be well accustomed to controlling their urine and stool.

• Bedwetting is more common in boys and in children who sleep very deeply. But most of the time, it goes away on its own as the child gets older.
• However, if you haven't wet the bed in a while and now you've started wetting it again, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about it. There may be another reason for it.

Are you getting enough sleep?

Sleep is essential for a child's development.

• A child this age needs between 9 and 12 hours of sleep a day.
• If you don't get enough sleep, your child may have behavioral problems and find it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork. Just think, sometimes we get so irritable and can't get anything done if we don't get enough sleep. The same goes for children.
• Therefore, set a bedtime routine so that your child gets enough sleep, and practice doing some light activities before bed (e.g. reading a book, listening to a song).
• Turn off digital devices like televisions, tablets, and hand-held gaming systems at least an hour before bedtime. Don't keep them in your child's bedroom. The light can disrupt sleep.

How important is physical activity?

This is the time when children at this age want to run and play.

• A child should be active for at least 60 minutes a day. That means playing until they break a sweat.
• Screen time should be limited, including television, video games, smartphones, tablets, and computers. It's not good to let your child spend all day in front of the TV or on their phone.

How is the child's development?

The doctor will talk to the child and assess their development by doing small tasks. By age 6, most children can do the following:

• Walk heel-to-toe.
• Tie your own shoelaces.
• Start reading, spelling, and doing simple addition and subtraction.
• Write your name, surname, and short sentences.
• Begin to understand the difference between fantasy and reality (e.g., a superhero in a cartoon doesn't really exist).

Not all children are the same. Some children do these things a little earlier, some a little later. That's normal. But if you feel like there's a big delay, talk to your doctor.

Physical examination with clothes off

Then, while you are there, the doctor will undress your child and perform a complete physical exam. During this time, the doctor will listen to your child's heart and lungs with a stethoscope, palpate their abdomen, observe their motor skills, and talk to them to assess their language skills. This will give you a good idea of ​​your child's overall health.

Don't forget about vaccinations.

We are also talking about vaccines at this time. Vaccines are very important to protect children from serious diseases (e.g. measles, mumps). Therefore, it is essential to give vaccines on time. Vaccine schedules may vary slightly at each doctor's office. So talk to your doctor to find out exactly what is needed. There may be a vaccine that your child needs to be given at this visit.

Some lab tests

If necessary, the doctor may also order certain blood tests. For example, tests may be ordered to check for conditions such as anemia (low blood count), high cholesterol, lead poisoning (from old paints and some toys), and tuberculosis. All of these are done to ensure the child's health.

Things to keep in mind as you look ahead

Okay, now let's see what other things you should be concerned about until your child turns 7, which means until their next medical checkup. These are the things that will help keep your child safe and help them develop good habits as they grow up.

About the mental and behavioral side of the child

• Praise the good things your child does and the achievements he or she makes. Even if it's a small thing, saying, "Wow, your son/daughter is very talented" gives your child a lot of strength. Support and help him or her with things he or she finds difficult.
• Reiterate the rules and enforce them. It's normal for children at this age to test the limits of the rules. They may ask questions like, "Why can't I do that?" "Why can only he do that?" So you need to decide which rules can be relaxed a little and which ones you absolutely must keep. But be firm.

How to ensure the safety of the child?

Children this age are very active and curious about the world around them, so we need to think especially about their safety.

• Teach your child to cross the road on their own (by looking both ways and listening for traffic). But until your child is about 10 years old, or maybe even older, help them cross the road with you. Remember, a child will gradually learn to cross the road on their own. Don't send them off on their own all at once.
• Always wear a helmet when your child rides a bike (even one with training wheels), a scooter, or a skateboard. Do not let your child ride these on the street. Only let them ride in your yard or on a safe playground.
• Make sure the ground in the play area is soft enough to absorb the impact of a fall (e.g. grass, sand, rubber mats). Falling on hard cement ground is more likely to cause an injury.
• Always keep an eye on your child and supervise him/her in places where there is water, such as swimming pools, rivers, lakes, and the sea. Never leave your child alone, even for a few seconds. If possible, send your child to a swimming class. It is a valuable thing for life.
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher at least 15 minutes before your child goes outside to play. Even if the sun doesn't seem to be strong, sunburn can still occur. Don't forget to reapply every two hours.
• Protect your child from secondhand smoke. This increases the risk of heart disease and lung disease. Stop smoking completely in areas where your child is. Similarly, the vapor from e-cigarettes is also harmful.
• Place your child in a booster seat in the back seat of the car until he or she is about 4 feet 9 inches (150 centimeters) tall. Children usually reach this height between the ages of 8 and 12. This can greatly reduce the risk of injury to the child in the event of an accident.
• Teach your child what to do in an emergency. That is, teach them how and when to call a number like 119 (the emergency police number in Sri Lanka) or 1990 (ambulance service). (In America, it is 911, but in our country, explain these numbers to your child).
• Do not keep firearms in the home. If you have them, protect your children from the dangers they can pose. If you have a firearm, keep it locked up, empty of ammunition. Keep ammunition locked up separately. Do not leave keys where children can get hold of them. This can be very dangerous.

Things to talk about in particular

• Talk to your child about appropriate touch. Explain that some parts of the body (such as breasts, genitals, buttocks) are private and should not be touched or seen by anyone other than parents (such as when bathing or cleaning). If someone asks to see or touch such private areas, or tells them to see or touch someone else's private areas, or tells them to keep a secret from you, teach your child to tell you right away. This is very important.
• If you have any concerns about your living situation, talk to your doctor. Do you have what you need to take care of your child? Do you have enough food, a safe place to stay, and health insurance? When you tell your doctor about these things, he or she can tell you about community resources or refer you to a social worker. There's nothing wrong with asking for help.

Finally, remember this.

So, simply put, this medical check-up for your six-year-old child is a great opportunity to gain valuable insight into his health, development, and safety, as well as to address any concerns you may have. Be open and honest with your doctor about everything that's on your mind. Don't be afraid to ask even the smallest questions.

Remember, these medical checkups and your care are very important for your child's healthy, happy future. I sincerely wish you and your child the strength to face all the challenges that come their way as they grow up!

` Child health, 6 years, medical check-up, Well-Child Visit, child development, nutrition, safety