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Five-Year Checkup
Date ______________________________________
A. MEASUREMENTS Length _________________ in ( %tile) Weight ___________ lb ___ oz ( %tile) Head Size ______________ cm ( % tile)
B. IMMUNIZATIONS Your child will receive the following:
Although most infants do fine with these immunizations, some may experience fever or fussiness. This should subside within 48 hours. You can give acetaminophen if your child develops a fever.
C. DIET AND NUTRITION 1. Offer small portions of a variety of foods from the food pyramid, and give seconds only if your child asks for them. Examples of "child-sized" portions include 4-6 ounces of milk or juice, 2 ounces of meat, 1/4 cup of vegetables or fruit, 1/2 cup cereal, 1/2 cup of cottage cheese or yogurt, 1 slice of bread. 2. Limit snacks to two per day. Offer healthful choices such as fruit, vegetable sticks, yogurt, crackers, oatmeal cookies, cheese, or bran muffins. Avoid soft drinks, and foods high in sugar, fat, or salt. 3. Avoid using food as a reward for good behavior or accomplishments. 4. Do not allow eating while playing, watching television, or while engaged in other activities because this encourages eating when one is not truly hungry. 5. Total caloric needs are around 900 to 1800 calories per day or about 40 calories per pound of body weight for a child of average size. 6. Remember a child's intake may vary greatly from one day to the next. Children tend to eat when they are hungry, and not because the clock says so. As long as a child eats an acceptable meal every day or two, and consumes a variety over the course of a week, he or she should grow well. . 7. Vitamin supplements are generally unnecessary, unless a child is extremely picky and refuses several groups of foods, or is ill and unable to eat for several days. 8. Limit milk intake to about 16 ounces per day. While some milk is good, too much will reduce the appetite for other important foods. Children five years of age and older should drink milk with a fat content of not more than 2%. For more information on the Food Pyramid, try visiting the KidsHealth website: http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html or the USDA's website: http://www.mypyramid.gov/
D. SAFETY 1. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in children. Always be sure that your child is appropriately buckled up in the car. The use of a booster seat is recommended until your child outgrows it. Always use shoulder belts when they are present, and do not tuck them behind your child. Children under twelve years of age should not ride in the front seat (regardless of the presence or absence of passenger side airbags). 2. Pedestrian accidents are the second leading cause of death. Teach your child not to play near a street, not to chase balls or toys when they roll into the street, and to stop, look, and listen when crossing a street. 3. Head injuries from. bicycle accidents and falls while skateboarding or rollerblading result in over. 9 00 deaths per year. "Wearing a bike helmet reduces the risk of a head injury by 85%. Make it a rule that a helmet must be worn every time that your child rides a bike. Children learn by example, so if you ride a bike, wear your helmet, too. 4. Remember that a child can drown in only one inch of water. Do not allow your child to play around water or swim unsupervised, even for a moment. . 5. Bums and smoke inhalation kill over 1000 children under 10 years of age each year. Hold family fire drills at least once every three months. Check your smoke detectors monthly, and replace batteries twice a year (when you set your clocks ahead or back in the spring or fall). Always keep matches and lighters .in. a safe place. Keep a file extinguisher in your kitchen, and know how to use it. 6. If you have firearms in your home, keep them locked up and store ammunition in a separate location from the weapon. Children are far more likely to be injured from an accidental discharge of the gun than from an intruder in the home. For additional safety tips, visit http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/safety.cf
E. EDUCATION: The single most important thing you can do as a parent to prepare your child for school is to read to him or her every day. Read with your child at various times of day, not just at bedtime. Make frequent trips to the public library. Take your child to the science center, to the museum, to the park, to the theater to see a play, and to any other activity that broadens the mind Even talking with your child about everyday activities, and asking and answering questions can be very beneficial. Often parents wonder if they should hold their child back for a year because of a late birthday. Only rarely is delaying kindergarten entry necessary. The large majority of children adapt well to kindergarten.
F. MEDIA: Television, movies, videos, electronic games, the internet, and radio play a major role in our society. Despite the potential to educate us and to cause us to think in constructive ways, it appears that these are all too often used in ways that affect our lives negatively. Studies have repeatedly shown that children who watch violent shows or play violent video games are more likely to engage in violent behavior. Your child needs your guidance in learning what to watch, and how. Choose shows that have educational value. Watch the show with your child, and then discuss it afterwards. Choose computer games that will teach appropriate skills for reading, writing, or mathematics. If your child uses the computer to go "online", you should constantly monitor what site your child is visiting. We recommend limiting your child to one hour per weekday and two hours per weekend of "screen time," which would be the total time spent watching television, playing video games, or recreational computer use. Also, be aware of the music your child listens to. Many popular recordings contain explicit language or adult content. We recommend exposing your child to a number of types of music. For an extensive list of resources to help keep your family safe from the dangers of the internet, visit the AAP's webpage: http://safetynet.aap.org/
G. FLUORIDE: If you do not use a fluoridated water source, your child may need to be on fluoride tablets. We generally recommend testing well or spring water first to see if there is any naturally occurring fluoride in the water. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Children will continue to need annual complete physical examinations, even though the next immunization will be around ten years of age.
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Last modified: Monday February 16, 2015 |
