www.phs.org/Medicaid 3 Your child is growing quickly — learning new words, trying new foods, and getting taller. One important way to help your child be as healthy as possible is to take them to the provider for regular checkups. These visits are also called well exams or well-child visits. Well-child visits have many benefits: • Vaccines. Children need several vaccines and boosters between the ages of 1 and 6 years to help prevent serious illness. • Tracking growth, development, and behavior. You and the healthcare provider will talk about your child’s physical, mental, and social development. These growth stages are called developmental milestones. • Discussing concerns. If you have questions or concerns about safety, nutrition, sleep, or anything else, checkups are an ideal time to bring them up. • Prevention. Regular checkups help your child’s provider spot health problems early and treat them right away. During checkups, you also can share proud-parent moments with the provider and bring up parenting challenges you might be having. Checkup frequency How often your child should have a checkup depends on their age range. • Ages 1 to 3 years: The healthcare provider will want to see your child every three to six months. • Ages 4 to 6 years: The provider will want to see your child once per year. In addition to talking with you, the provider will talk to your child directly and ask them questions. At every checkup, the provider will give your child a physical exam, record their height and weight, and check their growth and development. Your child will also get any needed vaccines and health screenings. Make the most out of a checkup To get the greatest benefit from well-child visits: • Jot down your questions or concerns before you go. • Take along any medical and vaccine records you have for your child. • Mention major changes in your child’s life since the last checkup, like a new sibling, a divorce, or a death in the family. • Ask questions and take notes during the checkup. Review the notes when you get home. You can make a list of things to follow up on. Take your child to get checkups Regular wellchild visits are a time for you, your child, and their healthcare provider to build trust and open communication. Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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