What to Expect at a Preschooler Well Check at 4 Years Old
As children grow they reach new physical and developmental milestones. Preschool and school-aged kids’ well visits are essential for tracking this progress and identifying any areas of concern. Parents often have many questions when their child reaches the age of four, and a Cumming checkup is the perfect opportunity to receive advice and guidance from an experienced pediatrician.
A Guide to Preschool Well Checks at Age 4
At four years old, a checkup evaluates a child’s physical health, cognitive skills, social development and emotional well-being. When a child is not reaching their developmental milestones, it’s vital that they receive the help they need and that the family is supported. Here are some of the many elements a pediatrician will focus on during the visit.
Nutritional Guidelines for a 4-Year-Old Child
A 4-year-old’s interest in eating may be unpredictable and erratic from meal to meal, but overall consumption is fairly constant. Children this age may have a limited attention span at the table and they tend to eat following a pattern similar to adults but are not capable of choosing a well-balanced diet.
Your Preschooler’s School Readiness
Observing your child’s interactions with others offers valuable insights into their social skills and understanding. To set a good example in the home, it’s important to listen to your child and treat them with respect. Modeling respectful behavior and apologizing when necessary teaches your child valuable lessons in social conduct and empathy. You can also reinforce positive behaviors by praising your child when they show consideration for the feelings of others.
Encouraging your child to express a range of emotions like joy, anger, sadness, fear and frustration is key to their emotional development. Social development can also be bolstered through play with peers in preschool or playgroups. Also, engage in fun activities together to further strengthen the parent-child bond.
Reading is another important aspect of school readiness. Reading together builds a love for literature, while also enhancing curiosity and comprehension skills. Make sure to ask questions about the story, and encourage your child to explore letters and sounds, including rhymes with real and nonsense words. And to further broaden their understanding of the world, take regular trips to parks and libraries.
The development of language skills can be nurtured by encouraging your child to talk about their day, friends and observations. To prevent stuttering, give them time to tell stories or respond to questions. These practices will prepare your child for school and lay a foundation for lifelong learning and development. Also, if you identify an issue with communication, your pediatrician can provide help on child development areas requiring attention.
8 Healthy Habits for Your Preschooler
- Create a calm bedtime ritual that includes reading or telling stories.
- Create a pleasant atmosphere at mealtimes by turning off the TV and having table conversation that includes your child.
- Be sure that your child brushes his or her teeth twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. They should spit out the toothpaste after brushing. Supervise tooth brushing each time. Follow up with your pediatric dentist every six months.
- Limit television and video viewing to no more than 2 hours per day. Be sure the programs are appropriate. If you allow your child to watch TV, watch with them and talk together about the programs.
- Encourage your child to be active in many ways, including running, marching, and jumping.
- As often as possible, be physically active as a family. Go on walks, play in the park or on a safe street, or ride bikes.
- Anticipate your child’s normal curiosity about his body and the differences between boys and girls.
- Use correct terms for all body parts, including genitals.
Safety Concerns With a 4-Year-Old Preschooler
Ensuring your four-year-old’s safety is multifaceted. For car travel, use a size-appropriate, forward-facing car safety seat that’s correctly installed in the back seat. To learn more, visit the Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator at www.seatcheck.org (or call 866-SEATCHECK). Always remember that the back seat is the safest for children.
Supervise your child closely, especially outdoors and near streets or driveways, as they’re not ready to safely navigate these areas alone. Also, teach them about body safety, explaining that areas covered by a bathing suit are private and should not be touched by others without consent.
Teaching Your Child About Personal Safety and Trust
Educating your child about personal safety is important, particularly as potential abusers can be trusted individuals. To keep it simple, focus on three essential rules for interacting with adults. First, an adult should never tell a child to keep secrets from their parents. Second, adults should not show interest in a child’s private parts. Third, adults should not seek a child’s help with their own private areas. These guidelines emphasize the need for open communication with family members and help your child identify inappropriate behaviors.
Gun Safety and Protecting Your Child
The easiest way to prevent gun-related injuries or deaths in children is to not have a firearm in the home. If you do own firearms, remember that very young children might not comprehend their dangers. Always store guns unloaded and locked away, keeping ammunition separate. It’s also important to check whether a home your child visits stores firearms in a similarly safe manner. These steps help create a secure environment for your child at home and elsewhere.
Contact Us for Well Check Visits for Children in Cumming
At Vickery Pediatrics we provide well-child visits for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children. If you are located in Cumming, Buford, Dawsonville, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Forsyth County or the surrounding areas, contact us today. Call (678) 990-2501 or request an appointment now.
