•  On Oct, 01, 2024
•  Doctor Notes
•   Well Child

Preschool years are bittersweet as your child begins to spend more time outside of your home. Starting school, making new friends, and setting play dates are just a few of the new adventures your child will embark on. Their world will come to life as they play make-believe and dress up, and there is no limit to what they can dream and imagine. Preschool years are genuinely an exciting time in a child’s development. As with our previous blogs, we are focusing on what to expect at your child’s well visit during each stage of their life. Below, we have summarized what you can expect during preschool well-visits at Briarcliff Pediatrics, accompanied by a checklist to help you prepare.

4-Year Checkup:

Your preschooler’s 4-year checkup will include a physical exam and an assessment of milestones. One way we assess these milestones is by having your preschooler actively participate in the visit. We will directly ask them questions and engage with them, allowing us to measure their social and emotional development. There will also be a round of booster shots and various health screenings. We recommend the checklist below when preparing your preschooler for their 4-year checkup:

• Perform a physical examination
• Measure height and weight
• Test hearing and vision
• Observe oral health
• Test motor skills
• Receive booster shots for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis (DTaP), Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), and Varicella (Chickenpox).
• Additionally, your pediatrician may discuss adding the seasonal Influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.

5-Year Checkup:

Your preschooler’s 5-year checkup will be very similar to their 4-year checkup. They will undergo a physical exam and an assessment of milestones. Like the previous visit, we will engage directly with your child to measure social, emotional, and speech development and note any changes over the last twelve months. If they did not receive their booster shots at their previous visit, they will be administered during this visit. Additionally, your pediatrician may discuss adding the seasonal Influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine. We recommend the checklist below when preparing your preschooler for their 5-year checkup:

• Perform a physical examination.
• Measure height and weight
• Test hearing and vision
• Observe oral health
• Test motor skills
• Receive booster shots for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis (DTaP), Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), and Varicella (Chickenpox) if they did not receive them at their 4-year well visit.
• Check speech and language development

Preschool years are a transition stage as your child’s world expands. Both you and your child will feel a wide range of emotions. This is very common, and your pediatrician is there to support you and encourage you. If you have any questions or concerns, take some time during these well visits to seek guidance and advice from your pediatrician. As doctors and caregivers, our primary goal is the health and safety of your children and family. Dr. Raymond Deeb, Dr. Rebecca McCoy and Dr. Nicholas Kelly are honored to help with your child’s growth and development. Please don’t hesitate to contact Briarcliff Pediatrics if you would like to schedule an appointment. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for practice updates and health tips.