WELCOME AT ANGELFIELD SERVICES

TOP 7 HEALTH TIPS OF THE SEASON

May 13, 2021

What to Expect During This Visit

Your doctor and/or nurse will probably:

1. Check your child's weight and height, calculate body mass index (BMI), and plot the measurements on growth charts.

2. Check your child's blood pressure using standard testing equipment.

3. Ask questions, address concerns, and offer advice about your child's:

Eating. Schedule three meals and one or two nutritious snacks a day. Serve your child a well-balanced diet that includes lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Kids this age should get 2½ cups (600 ml) of low-fat milk daily (or equivalent low-fat dairy products or fortified milk alternative).

Limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar and fat, and offer no more than 8 ounces (240 ml) of juice per day. If you have a picky eater, keep offering a variety of healthy foods for your child to choose from. Kids should be encouraged to give new foods a try, but don't force them to eat them.

Bathroom habits. Bedwetting is more common in boys and deep sleepers, and in most cases it ends on its own. But talk to your doctor if it continues to be a problem.

Sleeping. Kids this age need about 9–12 hours of sleep per night. Lack of sleep can cause behavior problems and make it difficult to pay attention at school. Set a regular bedtime that allows for adequate sleep and establish a relaxing bedtime routine. Keep TVs and digital devices, including phones and tablets, out of bedrooms.

Physical activity. Children this age should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Set limits on screen time, including TV, DVDs, video games, smartphones, tablets, and computers.  

Growth and development. By 7 years, it's common for many kids to:

• show more independence from parents and family members

• have a group of friends, usually of the same gender

• look up to role models, such as professional athletes, actors, or superheroes

• know the difference between right and wrong

• enjoy reading

• have longer attention spans

• problem solve in a more organized and logical way

• perform more coordinated tasks, like shooting a basketball

4. Do a physical exam. This will include listening to the heart and lungs, checking teeth for cavities, and watching your child walk. Because some kids start to show signs of puberty as early as age 7, your doctor will check pubertal development. A parent or caregiver should be present during this exam.

5. Update immunizations. Immunizations can protect kids from serious childhood illnesses, so it's important that your child get them on time. Immunization schedules can vary from office to office, so talk to your doctor about what to expect.

6. Order tests. Your doctor may assess your child's risk for anemia and tuberculosis and order tests, if needed.

Looking Ahead

Here are some things to keep in mind until your child's next checkup at 8 years:

School

1. Encourage your child to participate in a 

   variety of activities

   , including 

   music

   , arts and crafts, 

   sports

   , after-school clubs, and 

   other activities

    of interest.

2. Praise accomplishments

    and provide support in areas where your child struggles.

3. Poor school performance could be a sign of a 

   learning disability

   , attention problems, or of 

   being bullied

   . Talk to the teacher about your concerns so that your child can receive the help needed to succeed.

Self

1. Explain to your child that his or her 

   body will change

    and that this is normal. Teach the proper names for body parts and explain their functions. Let your child know that 

   it's never OK

    for an adult to ask a child to keep a secret from you. No one should look at or touch your child's private parts, or ask him or her to look at or touch theirs.

2. Make sure your child 

   brushes his or her teeth

    twice daily, flosses once a day, and sees a dentist once every 6 months.

3. Set fair and consistent consequences

   for breaking the rules. Don't 

   hit or spank

   your child.

4. Give your child a sense of responsibility by letting him or her participate in 

   simple chores

   , like making the bed and setting the table.

Safety

1. Your child should continue to ride in the back seat of the car and use a 

   belt-positioning booster seat

    until he or she is 4 feet 9 inches (150 cm) tall, usually between 8 and 12 years of age.

2. Make sure your child 

   wears a helmet

    while 

   riding a bike

   , skateboard, or scooter, and that he or she only rides in the daytime.

3. Teach your child the skills needed to 

   cross the street

    independently (looking both ways, listening for cars), but continue to help your child cross the street until age 10.

4. Teach your child what to do 

   in case of an emergency

   , including 

   when to dial 911

   .

5. Teach your child to swim

   , but don't allow swimming unless an adult is watching.

6. Apply sunscreen

    of SPF 30 or higher at least 15 minutes before your child goes outside to play and reapply about every 2 hours.

7. Protect your child from 

   secondhand smoke

    and secondhand vapor from 

   e-cigarettes

   .

8. Explain to your child why he or she should never try

    tobacco products, e-cigarettes, drugs, 

   or

    alcohol.

9. Monitor your child's 

   Internet usage

   . Keep the family computer in a place where you can watch what your child is doing. Install safety filters and check the browser history to see what websites your child has visited. Teach your child to never share private information online.

10. Protect your child from 

    gun injuries

     by not keeping a gun in the home. If you do have a gun, keep it unloaded and locked away. Ammunition should be locked up separately. Make sure kids cannot access the keys.

11. Talk to your doctor if you're concerned about your 

    living situation

    . Do you have the things that you need to take care of your child? Do you have enough food, a safe place to live, and 

    health insurance

    ? Your doctor can tell you about community resources or refer you to a social worker.

These checkup sheets are consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Bright Futures guidelines.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MDDate reviewed: July 2017