Critical development milestones keep kids on track for starting school, and checkups are an opportunity to catch any chronic illnesses early.

Story by: Norton Children’s Reviewed by Becky S. Carothers, M.D., and Matthew D. Kinney, M.D. on May 23, 2023

When your child is between the ages of 3 and 6, the routines of well-child visits with your pediatrician can fall off the calendar.

They aren’t toddlers or babies anymore, and they haven’t started school. Sometimes life takes over.

But these are important years for well-child visits. Critical developmental milestones should be met during these ages to keep kids on track for starting school. This is also an opportunity to catch any chronic illnesses before they get more difficult to treat.

“These years are absolutely vital times to see your pediatrician regularly to ensure optimal development and kindergarten readiness,” said Matthew D. Kinney, M.D., pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine..

Helping kids catch up to developmental milestones before they start school can set them on the right path for the rest of their school years.

“We know that kids who start kindergarten behind other kids in terms of academic capabilities likely will stay behind throughout their school years, and those who start out ahead of peers will stay there,” Dr. Kinney said.

Your pediatrician also can guide you through your child’s behavioral development.

Ages 3 to 6 are also important for catching early signs of a chronic illness or health issue, ranging from cavities, obesity and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to more serious conditions such as diabetes and cancer.

In the 3-to-6-year-old age range, chronic conditions that pediatricians see more than others include asthma, autism and ADHD, along with behavioral and mood concerns, sleep issues, dental health concerns, allergies, skin conditions, obesity and diet concerns, according to Dr. Kinney.

What to expect at a 3-year-old’s well-child visit

• Weight, height and body mass index measured for growth tracking
• A physical exam that will check blood pressure, vision and teeth, and will include listening to the heart and lungs and paying attention to speech and language development
• Immunization update
• Assessment of risk for anemia, tuberculosis and lead exposure
• Your opportunity to ask questions, discuss concerns and get guidance on your child’s health
• Assessment of eating, potty use, sleeping and development

What to expect at a 4-year-old’s well-child visit

• Weight, height and body mass index measured for growth tracking
• A physical exam that will check blood pressure, vision and teeth, and will include listening to the heart and lungs and paying attention to speech and language development (Unlike at the 3-year-old check, 4-year-olds typically can cooperate with a hearing check.)
• Immunization update
• Assessment for risk for anemia, tuberculosis and lead exposure; cholesterol check may be performed
• Your opportunity to ask questions, discuss concerns and get guidance on your child’s health
• Assessment of eating, routine toilet use, sleeping and development

What to expect at a 5-year-old’s well-child visit

• Weight, height and body mass index measured for growth tracking
• A physical exam that will check blood pressure, vision and teeth, and will include listening to the heart and lungs and paying attention to speech and language development
• Immunization update
• Assessment of risk for anemia, tuberculosis and lead exposure
• Your opportunity to ask questions, discuss concerns and get guidance on your child’s health  
• Assessment of eating, using bathroom alone, including bathroom habits to avoid constipation, sleeping and development

What to expect at a 6-year-old’s well-child visit

• Weight, height and body mass index measured for growth tracking
• A physical exam that will check blood pressure, vision and teeth, and will include listening to the heart and lungs and paying attention to speech and language development
• Immunization update
• Assessment of  risk for anemia, high cholesterol, tuberculosis and lead exposure
• Your opportunity to ask questions, discuss concerns and get guidance on your child’s health  
• Assessment of eating, mastery of bowel and bladder control, sleeping, and development