Children’s school physicals are important in order to ensure that they are physically healthy and ready to learn and participate in school activities. It is one of the requirements to attend school in most school counties across the country. Before school starts, it is important that your child undergoes one right before the start of the school year, or even better – right at the end of summer – so any issues can be addressed before school starts.
If your student is an athlete, a child’s school physical is a great opportunity for your child to receive personalized recommendations on healthy eating and sleeping, safe training practices, and injury prevention.
Children’s school physicals are conducted by children’s health care providers or pediatricians. Let’s talk about what happens during a child’s school physical and how you can prepare for it.
What Happens During a School Physical?
A child’s school physical has many different elements. Generally, the first part of a school physical is the consultation, which is an opportunity to discuss your child’s health and review their medical history. Next, the doctor will take your child’s vitals, such as their height, weight, vision, hearing, and blood pressure, and also assess their general appearance. The doctor follows this up with a physical exam, during which they listen to your child’s breathing, abdomen, reflexes, mouth, and teeth, and assess them for developmental issues.
The doctor may ask questions regarding your child’s behavior and if they have difficulty socializing or academic challenges. If any concerns are found during the physical, further testing or treatment may be recommended. Last but not least, the doctor will also make sure that your child is up-to-date on their immunizations and booster shots. This not only protects your child but also other children at school. The information collected during a child’s school physical goes into their health record.
How Do I Prepare For My Child’s School Physical?
Make sure to bring your child’s medical records with you to the doctor’s clinic, including immunization records, growth charts, and previous test results, if you are seeing a new doctor. If your child is taking any medication or vitamins and supplements, take them with you to the appointment. It is also helpful to prepare a list of questions to ask the pediatrician, such as:
● Is my child growing and developing at a normal rate?
● How do I make sure my child remains healthy?
● Does my child need mental health services?
● When should we return for my child’s next vaccination/immunization?
Regardless of their age, talk to your child and explain to them why they are getting a physical and what they can expect. Young children in particular may feel nervous about seeing a doctor, so it’s good to calm them down through education ahead of time.
Schedule Your Child’s School Physical in Tuckahoe, NY
Let the board-certified pediatricians at Village Pediatric Group perform your child’s next school physical. This is just one of a wide range of services we provide for growing children and teens. Our doctors are compassionate and know how to communicate with children – and we love to advocate for their health, wellness, and success! Our pediatric clinic is located in Tuckahoe and serves children in Lower Hudson Valley and Westchester County. For any questions or to schedule an appointment with one of our pediatricians, call our office today at (914) 771-7070 or use our convenient online request form.
