Many families prepare for the school year by purchasing materials and scheduling schedules and routines. But one of the most important steps of back to school happens before the first day: annual visits for the children.
Because schedules fill up quickly during the summer, now is the ideal time for parents to schedule their children’s doctor appointments.
These preventive visits help ensure that children and adolescents are ready for the school year, not only academically, but also physically, emotionally, and developmentally.
What is a well-child visit?
Well-child visits are annual preventive appointments with a pediatrician or family medicine provider. Sometimes known as physical exams, these visits help support a child’s overall health and development by providing:
– Immunizations and preventive exams
– Vision and hearing tests
– Growth and development indicators
– Support for emotional and behavioral health
Beyond these clinical measures, well-child visits also give parents the opportunity to complete school or sports forms and speak with a doctor about specific concerns before the school year begins.
More importantly, they help families and doctors examine a child’s overall well-being, connecting physical health, emotional well-being, and any developmental concerns that may affect success at school and at home.
Mental health is part of general health
A thorough checkup can be especially important when it comes to mental health. A child’s emotional well-being can be closely linked to their physical health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 in the United States has a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Mental health needs may be different depending on age and stage of development.
Young children may experience separation anxiety or behavioral outbursts. School-aged children may have difficulty with focus, stress, or social challenges. Teens may show changes in mood, sleep, or difficulties with responsibility. While many of these changes are normal parts of growing up, some may require additional support.
The good news is that early conversations with a pediatrician can make a difference. A well-child visit is a natural time to reach out and help children understand that it is okay to talk about their feelings. These conversations can also help normalize emotional health as an essential part of routine care.
To help support these conversations and preventive care visits, families are encouraged to review their health plan’s available benefits and resources, as many plans include behavioral health supports and programs like behavioral coaching for children and families, which can help overcome everyday emotional and behavioral challenges.
The importance of dental and vision care
Don’t forget to take advantage of dental and vision benefits to ensure children are ready to learn.
Vision benefits may include annual vision exams that help detect changes that affect learning in the classroom. More than 600,000 children and adolescents in the United States experience some vision loss. (According to the CDC).
Testing in schools is valuable, but it may not detect more complex problems. Annual comprehensive eye exams are recommended during the school years.
Dental benefits may include routine cleanings and exams to detect problems before they become more serious. Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases among children and can contribute to missed school days. (CDC data).
Help support oral health with twice-yearly dental exams and make sure your child brushes for 2 minutes twice a day and flosses daily.
Don’t forget the healthy diet
Proper nutrition is essential when it comes to supporting your child’s physical and emotional health, as well as their growth and development (According to the CDC).
This includes meals with a variety of vegetables, whole fruits, grains, dairy and protein. It is best to avoid foods high in added sugars, saturated fats and sodium.
Scheduling a well-child visit is a simple but important step that gives families the opportunity to support their child’s overall well-being throughout the year.
