Well Child Visits

Every child needs to visit the doctor often during the first few years of life. The doctor will make sure your child is healthy and developing normally and will give immunizations. Below are some tips to help make the most of the visits.

Scheduling the Visit: Typically, well visits occur at:

Try to make your appointments as early as possible, before the most convenient time slots fill up.

Preparing for the Visit: During your visit, the doctor may ask you about your child's behavior and development. So, before each visit, you and/or your child's caregivers should pay attention to:

+ Sleep Habits: How is your child sleeping during the day

and at night, and for how long?

+ Bowel Movements: How many does he have per day?

+ Feeding: What is she eating and how often?

+ Physical Development: Is he rolling, sitting, crawling,

standing, walking?

+ Language Development: What sounds does she make or

what words does she say?

+ Social-Emotional Development: Does he smile, laugh,

and respond to you? Does he play with you, by himself or with others?

+ Red Flags: Is there anything that concerns you about your

child or her development?

The Day of the Visit: To make doctor's visits easier, bring
with you:

+ A favorite book, toy, or stuffed animal

+ A snack or drink

+ Extra diapers and wipes

+ A blanket

+ A list of question you have for the doctor

+ Your child's immunization card

Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics

Parenting Corner >

Ages and Stages

Throughout the early years, your child will grow and change tremendously.  For more information about your child’s age and stage, use the following tools.

Your Child @ Series:

< 4 years

< 5 years

The Importance of Early Learning

Learning starts long before school does. Children start learning the day they’re born, and the trajectory of their future success is shaped by their experiences in the first few years.

But too many parents, grandparents and caregivers don’t know

how to support early learning. They need to understand that children are learning during everyday moments – doing everyday activities. As a child’s first and most important teacher, parents can easily turn everyday moments into fun, engaging learning opportunities – and by doing so they give their child the best start possible.

By the time children enter kindergarten, there’s a gap between

those with quality early learning experiences and those without. That turns into an achievement gap by 3rd grade. Most children never catch up. But research shows that children with high-quality early learning in the first few years are more likely to finish school, become part of a productive workforce, and contribute to society and the economy.

The Early Childhood Development campaign seeks to educate and inform parents, grandparents and caregivers on the importance of

quality early learning experiences. It gives them easy, fun tips for “learning on the go” to boost learning during everyday activities, like shopping at the grocery store. It in turn lets parents and caregivers know that by talking with and observing their children, they will be able to understand and support their learning. The PSAs encourage parents to visit or contact their local United Way for information and resources. The campaign and website launched in Spring of 2005.