Five Year-Old Checkup

Diet:

  • Nonfat or 1% milk is recommended at this age.  Your child should get about 16-24 ounces (2-3 cups) of milk per day.
  • Your child does not need sweetened drinks (like juice, soda, Gatorade, lemonade, punch, Koolaid, etc).  If you give them, give no more than 4-6 ounces (1/2-2/3 a cup) a day and give only once a day.
  • It is better for your child to drink milk and water rather than sweetened drinks.
  • Limit candy, fast food, junk foods and snack foods to occasional treats, not all the time.
  • Your child should eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday.
  • All children should take a daily multivitamin.

Car Seat:

  • Your child should always ride in a car seat or a booster seat (usually by 40 pounds) in the back seat of the car
  • Your child should continue to ride in a booster seat until about 80 pounds or 4 feet 9 inches tall.

Safety:

  • Your child should always wear a bike helmet when riding a bicycle, and a helmet and pads when rollerskating, rollerblading or riding a scooter or skateboard.
  • Gun safety: It is SAFEST not to have guns in the home with children.
  • If guns are in the home, they should be locked up, unloaded, and the ammunition kept locked separately.

Development:

  • Normal development for children between 5 and 6 years of age
  • Starting school.
  • Knows alphabet, learns to write name, draws simple shapes
  • Knows phone number, home address and parents’ last names
  • Dresses independently and has simple chores

Guidance:

  • Encourage daily reading and read with your child.
  • Limit TV time and total screen time (computer, internet, video games, X-Box, Play Station, Wii, etc) to no more then 2 hours per day.
  • Brush your child’s teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
  • Regular dental checkups every 6 months are recommended.
  • This is a good age for swimming lessons
  • Protect your child from the sun.  Use sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, with both UVA and UVB protection.

Flu Vaccine:

  • All children should receive the flu vaccine every year in the fall.

Next Check Up:  In 1 Year when your child is 6 years old

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