Well Child Visit: Early Childhood - 4 to 5 years

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What will we do at this visit?

  • Check Weight and Height to track how your child is growing.
  • Take your child's blood pressure.
  • Talk about how your family is doing, your child's nutrition, sleep, and safety.
  • Answer any questions you have!
  • Help your child stay healthy by keeping them up to date with their immunizations.

Will my child need immunizations at this visit?

The recommended immunization schedule protects infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they come into contact with potentially life-threatening diseases. 

View the childhood immunization schedule to see which vaccines your child needs.

Please note that there are age ranges for each vaccine and due to each child's individual medical history, illnesses, missed visits, travel plans, and other factors, your child may need a vaccine early, or to catch-up on missed vaccines at any age! You will discuss any needed immunizations at the time of your visit.

Feeding Your Child:

  • Offer your child a variety of foods and nutrients at each meal. Picture "My Plate" for meals and even snacks (though you don't have to separate everything out, and you do not need a separate dairy serving - dairy is a protein source). 
  • Offer your child water to drink. Milk intake should be less than 12 ounces per day. Juice, soda, or large amounts of milk alternatives (soy, rice, oat, pea) are not advised.

Your Child's Sleep:

Some children sleep better than others. Lack of sleep can be one of the more challenging aspects of parenting. Take a look at our Sleep Resources page for information on typical sleep patterns, strategies, and reassurance.

  • Make the hour before bedtime loving, calm, and screen free.
  • Have a simple bedtime routine (for example: bath, brush teeth, book, bed).

Health and Safety Tips:

  • Brush and floss your child's teeth with them - make regular visits to the dentist!
  • It is critical to learn about Drowning Prevention. Please read Pool Dangers and Drowning Prevention―When It’s Not Swimming Time, and 5 Water Safety Tips for Kids of All Ages.
  • Limit screen time including background TV.  A limited amount (less than 1-2 hours) of quality children's programming is reasonable (such as PBS Kids). Visit healthychildren.org for more information on finding the right balance of media use in your family. 
  • Common Sense Media is a valuable source of entertainment and technology recommendations and reviews to help you navigate the digital world with your kids.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that the safest home for a child is one without guns.  Even young toddlers are capable of finding unlocked guns in the home, and they are strong enough to pull the trigger. For those who decide to keep a gun, it should be locked and unloaded, with ammunition locked separately
  • Keep your home and car smoke free.
  • Your child is not mature enough for a booster seat using the should belt. Check out our Car Seat Guide  and Be Seat Smart NH for more information.  
  • Know how to call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) if you worry your child has eaten, touched, or inhaled something harmful. Lock away chemicals, tobacco or vape products, medications, etc.
  • Talk to your child about Body Safety.  Author Jayneen Sanders has written several helpful books on this subject.
  • Talk to your child about body parts, birth, babies, families, and healthy sexuality in simple, positive terms.  Author Robie H. Harris has written a helpful non-fiction series beginning with "It's NOT the Stork" for ages 4 and up.

Important Milestones: Your Child By 4 and 5 Years

Ages & Stages - Preschool

Read age-specific articles about your child's health, development, and safety at healthychildren.org.

Activities to do with your child: 

  • Get in the habit of reading books together every day!
  • Praise your child for being kind to others.
  • Everybody makes mistakes. Model "checking in," finding someone to help, and offering to help/make amends/make repairs if your child hurts or offends another person or breaks something.
  • Enjoy meals together as a family at least once a day - sitting down to eat.
  • Be active together as a family.