Tips for Parents - Parents Guide to Growth and Development

Your job as parent is to choose the best foods for your child. Offer 3 regular meals &healthy snacks.
Eat meals as a family.
Limit fast foods, junk foods and sweets.
Your child should drink16-24 oz. of skim or low fat milk each day. If milk is not consumed, other dairy products, like yogurt & cheese are important for calcium needs
Multivitamins may be used if your child’s diet is consistently inadequate.
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, it may be necessary to take a multivitamin to meet nutritional needs.

Elimination:

Sleep:

A regular bedtime routine is very important to children. Between 9 &12 years of age, the average child should sleep 9-10 hours each night,

Development:

From 9 years of age, children steadily improve their motor skills and coordination. Regular physical activity is very important.
Peer relationships and acceptance become increasingly more important. Your child needs to learn how to handle peer pressure.
Signs of puberty begin to appear. Talk to your child about how the body changes and develops. Use correct terminology.
Answer your child’s questions about sex in an open, honest manner. If you do not know the answer, find it with your child. There are many books to assist parents with this topic. If you are uncomfortable with your topic, we will address concerns at the checkup.
Prepare your daughter for her first period (menarche).

Safety:

Children ages 8 through 15 years must be secured in a booster seat or a lap/shoulder restraint in the back seat. Be a role model & buckle up too!
Guns are dangerous! Keep guns and ammunition locked in separate places. Ask the parents of your child’s playmates about gun storage and safety in their house.
Cut or remove all cords or drawstrings from your child’s coats & clothing.
Children in this age group should not mow the lawn.
Teach the “rules of the road” when on foot or on a bicycle.
Use PABA-free sunscreen with SPF >15.
If your child is a non-swimmer, enroll your child in organized swimming lessons. Knowing how to “swim” does not ensure the child’s safety in or near water. Your child should be taught where & how to dive safely.
Use an age/weight appropriate “Type 1 or 2” life jacket at beaches and on boats, especially for the non-swimmer.
Use a properly fitted bicycle helmet & protective gear and teach bicycle & roller-blade safety.
Discuss stranger safety, playground safety & sports safety. Discuss privacy.
Discuss avoidance of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and guns.
Use appropriate protective equipment during sports – helmet, mouth guard, & shatterproof eye gear.
Keep matches & lighters away from children. Never allow your child to play with fireworks, firecrackers, or sparklers.
Develop a fire escape plan for your home and teach your child.

Children’s Acetaminophen Dose:
Every 4-6 hours & no more than 5 doses/day
48-59 lb. = 2 tsp.
60-71 lb. = 2 ½ tsp.
72-95 lb. = 3 tsp.

Children’s Ibuprofen Dose:
Every 6-8 hours
48-59 lb. = 2 tsp.
60-71 lb. = 2 ½ tsp.
72-95 lb. = 3 tsp.

Other Things to Keep in Mind:

Dental Care - Schedule dental visits every 6 months, have your child brush at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. Flossing should be done everyday.
Limit the amount of TV & monitor the types of shows your child watches. Limit computer & video games. Avoid the violent games.
Rules & expectations should be discussed, clarified, and enforced.
Spend time with your child everyday - encourage reading & hobbies, take an interest in your child’s day at school, and get to know your child’s friends.
Do not over schedule your child. Too many activities can stress a child and family. Grades may suffer too.
Help your child learn about healthy lifestyles – hygiene, exercise and good nutrition. Be a good role model.
Encourage your child’s independence and self-responsibility. Assign household chores to your child.
Consider a small allowance so your child can learn to manage money.

At Today's & Each Yearly Checkup:

Your child will have a physical examination. Your questions and concerns will be answered. A routine urinalysis will be done. A complete blood count (CBC) may be obtained if there is concern about anemia.
Your child may need a TB test, DT vaccine, and/or a meningitis vaccine.
Depending on your family history, cholesterol levels may be obtained.