Annual Well-Child Visits: Supporting Your Child’s Growth, Health & Development
At KidsPeds, we believe that consistent well-child care is essential to ensuring your child’s health, happiness, and overall development. An annual well-child visit is more than just a routine check-up; it’s a proactive approach to monitoring growth, preventing illness, and supporting children through every stage of development. Through regular well-child visits, our team provides comprehensive care tailored to your child’s specific age and needs.
What Is a Well Child Visit?
A well-child visit is a scheduled check-up designed to assess a child’s overall health from infancy through adolescence. It focuses on:
- Preventive care
- Growth and developmental milestones
- Physical, mental, and emotional wellness
- Staying up to date with all vaccinations
In order to ensure your child receives age-appropriate care, we follow the well-child visit schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Whether it’s the first few months or teenage years, every well-child care appointment builds a stronger foundation for lifelong health.
Why Are Annual Well-Child Visits Important?
Annual well-child visits are focused on helping track the overall growth and development of the children while offering:
- Track growth and development across all stages
- Identify and address behavioral or emotional concerns
- Keep your child’s immunizations current
- Guide nutrition, sleep, learning, and social skills
- Build a trusting relationship between families and their pediatrician
By committing to regular well-child visits, you’re investing in early prevention and developmental success for your child.
Well-Child Visit Checklist: What to Expect
Each well-child visit checklist is customized to your child’s age, history, and lifestyle. At KidsPeds, a typical visit includes:
Growth & Development Evaluation
- Height, weight, and BMI measurements
- Head circumference (for infants)
- Milestone tracking: motor skills, speech, social interaction
- Early intervention planning for developmental delays
Health Screenings & Lab Tests
- Depending on age and risk factors, your child may receive:
- Vision and hearing tests
- Anemia screening
- Lead and cholesterol testing
- Urinalysis
- Screenings for metabolic or genetic disorders
Nutrition & Lifestyle Counseling
- Personalized nutrition advice
- Support for picky eaters and food allergies
- Exercise and physical activity recommendations
- Sleep hygiene tips and screen time management
Comprehensive Physical Exam
- Heart, lungs, abdomen, and reflexes
- Posture and spine alignment
- Joint and muscle strength
- Skin, hair, and nail health
- Oral health screening
Behavioral & Mental Health Screening
- Mood, attention span, and social behavior review
- Screening for ADHD, anxiety, and depression
- Parent guidance for emotional or behavioral challenges
Special Recommendations for Newborns to Age 6
- For newborns, reviews will include additional screenings such as:
- Review CCHD Screening
- Review newborn screening
- Review family history
- Genetic & metabolic disorders
- Hearing & vision testing
- Maternal depression
- Newborn Immunizations
Well-Child Visit Schedule by Age
Following the well-child visit schedule helps keep your child on track developmentally and medically. Here’s the general guide we follow at KidsPeds:
Infant & Toddler Visits
- Within 3–5 days after birth
- 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months
Preschool & School Age
- Annual well-child visits from ages 3 to 6
Older Children & Teens
- Yearly annual well-child exams up to age 21
Preparing for Your Child’s Well-Child Visit
Maximize your well-child visit with these preparation tips:
Gather Health Information:
- List current medications
- Note allergies or chronic conditions
- Bring immunization records
- Family medical history
Track Progress:
- Changes in sleep, eating, or school performance
- Emotional well-being or mood shifts
- Speech, learning, or social concerns
Prepare Your Questions:
- Growth, diet, screen time, or toileting concerns
- Guidance on behavior (e.g. tantrums, bedtime)
- Advice on starting sports or new activities
Talk to Your Child:
- Reassure them that the visit is to help them grow strong and healthy
- Explain vaccinations in simple terms
- Bring a comfort item if needed (toy, book, or blanket)
Schedule Your Child’s Well-Child Visit Today
Routine well-child care keeps your child’s growth, behavior, and development on the right track. At KidsPeds, our experienced pediatricians provide compassionate, evidence-based care through every phase of your child’s life.
Connect with our team and book your well-child visit now, and stay aligned with the latest well-child visit checklist and well-child visit schedule.
Get the care you deserve
Contact Kids Care Pediatrics For Healthcare Support.
At Kids Care Pediatrics, we encourage you to contact us whenever you have a concern or question related to your care. You can reach us at:
Colonia, NJ
Plainfield, NJ