HEALTH INSIGHTS

Well-Child Checkup: 5 Years

October 02, 2017

Well-Child Checkup: 5 Years

Man holding preschooler boy in towel near swimming pool.Even if your child is healthy, keep taking him or her for yearly checkups. This ensures your child’s health is protected with scheduled vaccines and health screenings. Your healthcare provider can make sure your child’s growth and development are progressing well. This sheet describes some of what you can expect.

Development and milestones

Your healthcare provider will ask questions and observe your child’s behavior to get an idea of his or her development. By this visit, your child is likely doing some of the following:

  • Showing concern for others

  • Knowing what is real and what is make believe

  • Talking clearly

  • Saying his or her name and address

  • Counting to 10 or higher

  • Copying shapes, such as triangle or square

  • Hopping or skipping

  • Using a fork and spoon

School and social issues

Your 5-year-old is likely in preschool or kindergarten. The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s experience at school and how he or she is getting along with other kids. The healthcare provider may ask about:

  • Behavior and participation at school. How does your child act at school? Does he or she follow the classroom routine and take part in group activities? Does your child enjoy school? Has he or she shown an interest in reading? What do teachers say about the child’s behavior?

  • Behavior at home. How does the child act at home? Is behavior at home better or worse than at school? (Be aware that it’s common for kids to be better behaved at school than at home.)

  • Friendships. Has your child made friends with other children? What are the kids like? How does your child get along with these friends?

  • Play. How does the child like to play? For example, does he or she play “make believe”? Does the child interact with others during playtime?

Nutrition and exercise tips

Healthy eating and activity are 2 important keys to a healthy future. It’s not too early to start teaching your child healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Here are some things you can do:

  • Limit juice and sports drinks. These drinks have a lot of sugar. This leads to unhealthy weight gain and tooth decay. Water and low-fat or nonfat milk are best for your child. Limit juice to a small glass of 100% juice no more than once a day. 

  • Don’t serve soda. It’s healthiest not to let your child have soda. If you do allow soda, save it for very special occasions. 

  • Offer nutritious foods. Keep a variety of healthy foods on hand for snacks, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Foods like french fries, candy, and snack foods should only be served once in a while. 

  • Serve child-sized portions. Children don’t need as much food as adults. Serve your child portions that make sense for his or her age and size. Let your child stop eating when he or she is full. If the child is still hungry after a meal, offer more vegetables or fruit. It’s OK to place limits on how much your child eats. 

  • Encourage at least 30 to 60 minutes of active play per day. Moving around helps keep your child healthy. Take your child to the park, ride bikes, or play active games like tag or ball.

  • Limit “screen time” to 1 hour each day. This includes TV watching, computer use, and video games. 

  • Ask the healthcare provider about your child’s weight. At this age, your child should gain about 4 to 5 pounds each year. If he or she is gaining more than that, talk with the healthcare provider about healthy eating habits and exercise guidelines.

  • Take your child to the dentist at least twice a year for teeth cleaning and a checkup.

Safety tips

Recommendations for keeping your child safe include the following: 

  • When riding a bike, your child should wear a helmet with the strap fastened. While roller-skating or using a scooter or skateboard, it’s safest to wear wrist guards, elbow pads, and knee pads, and a helmet.

  • Teach your child his or her phone number, address, and parents’ names. These are important to know in an emergency.

  • Keep using a car seat until your child outgrows it. Ask the healthcare provider if there are state laws regarding car seat use that you need to know about.

  • Once your child outgrows the car seat, use a high-backed booster seat in the car. This allows the seat belt to fit properly. A booster should be used until a child is 4 feet 9 inches tall and between 8 and 12 years of age. All children younger than 13 should sit in the back seat.

  • Teach your child not to talk to or go anywhere with a stranger.

  • Teach your child to swim. Many communities offer low-cost swimming lessons.

  • If you have a swimming pool, it should be fenced on all sides. Gates or doors leading to the pool should be closed and locked. Do not let your child play in or around the pool unattended, even if he or she knows how to swim.

Vaccines

Based on recommendations from the CDC, at this visit your child may get the following vaccines:

  • Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis

  • Influenza (flu), annually

  • Measles, mumps, and rubella

  • Polio

  • Varicella (chickenpox)

Is it time for kindergarten?

You may be wondering if your 5-year-old is ready for kindergarten. Here are some things he or she should be able to do:

  • Hold a pen or pencil the right way

  • Write his or her name

  • Know how to say the alphabet, count to 10, and identify colors and shapes

  • Sit quietly for short periods of time (about 5 minutes)

  • Pay attention to a teacher and follow instructions

  • Play nicely with other children the same age

Your school district should be able to answer any questions you have about starting kindergarten. If you’re still not sure your child is ready, talk to the healthcare provider during this checkup.

  

Next checkup at: _______________________________

 

PARENT NOTES:

Updated:  

October 02, 2017

Reviewed By:  

Adler, Liora C., MD,Dozier, Tennille, RN, BSN, RDMS