Health check-ups help spot changes — Health, 4–6 years
A doctor or nurse can check how a child is growing, hearing, seeing and moving. A check-up can find a change early, even when the child does not feel ill.
A check-up is a body check
At a check-up, a health professional looks at how the body is growing and working. They may listen to the heart, look in the ears, measure height or ask the child to move. The child can ask questions and say when something feels uncomfortable.
Why have a check-up
Some body changes are hard to notice at home, and a child may feel fine while growing or hearing changes. Check-ups give a professional time to compare what is happening now with what is usual for that child. Finding a problem early can make getting help easier.
Checking hearing
At her check-up, Noor sometimes misses quiet words. The nurse asks her to listen for sounds through headphones and press a button when she hears one. Noor practises with a few sounds, then the nurse records what she heard. If the result needs another look, the nurse explains it to Noor and her adult.
The reasonable worry
A child may think only ill people go to a doctor, so a check-up means something is wrong. That is a reasonable idea because doctors often help when someone feels unwell. A check-up can also be a normal chance to see that the body is growing and working as expected.
Where this helps
Check-ups may happen at a clinic, before some activities or when an adult wants advice about growth, hearing or seeing. They can also lead to simple help, such as glasses or support for hearing. The professional explains the next step to the child and adult.
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