Children need multiple people in their life to help them grow into healthy adults. Parents and other family members play a big role in making sure that youngsters are well-fed and provided with opportunities to exercise, play, and socialize. You’ll also find that medical professionals are essential for checking for common issues that are treatable during childhood. Making sure that your child sees these four professionals gives them the best chances to maintain their wellbeing.
Visit an Optometrist for Vision Screenings
A child who cannot see will struggle with everything from learning in school to playing sports. While vision screenings often happen at school, your child may need one earlier than that if they show signs of trouble with their vision such as squinting to see objects in the distance. If your child needs glasses or contacts, then you’ll want to maintain annual visits. A child’s vision can continue to change as they grow, which means that they may need updated prescriptions each year.
Plan Regular Visits for Dental Care
Those adorable little baby teeth serve an important function by being placeholders for future adult ones. Children also begin to have their adult teeth grow in early in their childhood, and they’ll need them to stay healthy for the rest of their lives. Taking your child to the dentist at an early age helps them get more comfortable with teeth cleanings and dental exams. They’ll also be more likely to go as teens and adults when they’ve been going to their dental provider for years.
Help Them Get to Know the School Nurse
When you think about it, your child’s school nurse sees your child just about every day. They’re also an amazing resource if your child has significant medical needs such as allergy or asthma care. If you know that your child will be needing to rely on the nurse, then add them to your list of people to visit on back to school nights. When your child feels comfortable with them, then they’ll be more likely to let their teacher know if they need to visit the nurse’s office.
Foster a Strong Relationship With Their Pediatrician
Regular health checkups are also essential to ensure that your child is growing normally. Pediatric wellness checks include a physical exam along with an opportunity to get answers to common parenting questions. Pediatricians often encourage their littlest patients to talk openly about their health, which is great for helping your child learn how to communicate their needs to medical professionals as they grow.
As a general rule, starting health care visits as early as possible helps kids to avoid developing anxiety before their doctor and dental appointments. Make sure to arrange for regular checkups that allow your kid to cultivate positive relationships with the medical professionals that are responsible for their care.
