6 –10 Year Old Health Supervision Visit Preparation

Things to consider BEFORE you arrive! 

If you would like to visit about any of these without your child present, let me know, either by phone, before the visit, or at the time of the visit.

Frequent Concerns by Parents

                Physical Concerns:  Growth (overweight, underweight, BMI, too short, etc.)

                                                       Developmental Issues

                                                       Puberty – is it starting?

                                                       Pain (headache, stomachache, muscle pains)

                                                       Bowel or Bladder Problems

                Emotional/Behavioral Concerns:  Signs of depression, anger problems, sadness?

                Social Concerns:    Missing School?

                                                       Peer Problems – bullying others or being bullied, few friends?

                                                       Not doing well in school?

                Family Stresses:     Changes, such as separation, divorce, death?

       Possible violence, verbal, emotional, physical?

Frequent Concerns by Your Child:  This can be ANYTHING! We just need to ask!

Frequent Concerns by Dr. Greta (in other words, I probably will ask about some of these!)

                All the areas listed for Frequent Concerns by Parents and Your Child

                New Medical Conditions:  ER visits?  Hospitalizations?  New Medications?

                New Changes in the family? 

                New Emotional Concerns:  Signs of depression, anger problems, sadness?

                New Behavior Concerns?

                School Concerns?

Possible Topics

Nutrition

                                Know your child’s BMI and have a plan for ideal weight management

                Daily Content:  5 fruits/vegetables, 3 dairy, 2 proteins

                                Occasional foods:  Pop, sweets, chips

Dental Health

                                See Dentist at least yearly

                                Brush and Floss teeth at least twice a day

                                Have at least 2 hours between eating or drinking anything but water

                                Discourage sucking habits

                Sleep – Closer to 10 hours a night, and is there restlessness, snoring?

Exercise – At least 30-60 minutes of moderate to strenuous activity 5 times a week

Stress Management – What techniques have you taught your child?

                Sexual Issues – Answer questions as they arise and watch for changes!

Time Use

                                Media – Limit to 2 hours daily of TV, video, etc

                                Plan with your child activities to develop skills and thinking abilities

                                Social – Do you know your child’s friends and their activities?

                Social Relations

                                Family Relations

Spend time together, for example, at meals, or in the evening, and do things           together, like projects or reading, or going for walks, or planning/doing activities

                                                Discipline (teaching) of family values

                                School and Peer Relations – Know what’s going on!!!!

                                Community Relations – be a part of some community activity

                Injury Prevention

                                Vehicle Safety: Seat Belt Use… every  time?

 Use of booster seat, and sitting in the back seat?

                                Smoke –free environment

                                Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms in the House

                                Water Safety:  Does your child swim enough to save his/her life?

                                 Sun Safety:  Avoid Burns by use of sunscreen and protective clothing

                                                       Drink  Plenty of Water (NOT pop)

                                Gun Safety:  At your house, relatives’ houses or friends’ houses:

                                                                                Are guns easily available and/or loaded?

Is your child or anyone he/she is around depressed or suicidal?

Stranger Safety:  Does your child know address, phone number, how to call for help, and                                   not to go with strangers?

Bike/Skating Safety:  Wearing protective gear…every time?

                                                                       Safe location for riding?                              

General Discussion topics in the handout you will receive at the time of the visit include such issues as:   Self-Esteem (age 6), Use of Time (age 7), Responsibility Readiness (age 8), Self-Image changes (age 9), All Aboard for the Adolescent Express! (age 10) . These are all discussed in relation to the Healthy is a Journey topics of Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, Dental, Mood Control, etc.  If you want one of the other issues (your child is ready for something else, in other words!) let me know!

Checklist

Immunizations (should be completed)

Check cholesterol, hemoglobin for anemia, urinalysis, and lead, if needed

Eye and Dental Visits at least yearly

School Performance (talk to the teachers often, at least monthly!)

Reassess the home environment for possible violence

Read with your child daily!

Information is available on many topics; Just ask!!!

See you soon, and Give that Kid a Hug!

Dr. Greta