Even if your child is in perfectly good health, it is important to make sure that they visit their pediatrician for a yearly physical. Not only does it give the parents a chance to ask questions regarding their child’s eating habits, behavior, and overall health, but seeing a patient in person allows the pediatrician to gauge their health more accurately. Annual physicals are different from sports physicals or camp physicals. North Phoenix pediatrics doctors are trained to look for potential health problems and developmental milestones, so it is important not to skip these safeguard appointments.
Discuss Routine Procedures
Before you take your child to a north Phoenix pediatrics doctor, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure that they know what will happen during the visit, so they will not be surprised or scared. Explain vision and hearing tests and that the doctor will measure the child’s height and weight. They’ll likely ask questions about the child’s eating, exercising, and other habits. Discuss how important and helpful doctors are. Let them know they can expect similar checkup procedures at camp physicals and during sports physicals.
Don’t Discuss Immunizations Far Ahead of Time
However, if your child is scheduled to have an immunization during their physical, it is often best not to discuss this far ahead of time. Your child may imagine a scary north Phoenix pediatrics doctor. Let them know, on the day of the exam, that they’ll be getting a shot and make sure that you yourself are not communicating fear to the child. Always remember to bring your child’s personal immunization record to the appointment with your north Phoenix pediatric doctors, and make sure the nurse fills it out correctly.
Other Required Physicals
There are other times that your child may require a physical exam. Many daycares require a physical, as do various sports and summer camps. Again, explain the routine but important nature of camp physicals and sports physicals to your child. Help them to understand how important it is to see a doctor regularly. Their north Phoenix pediatrics doctor is there to help and sports physicals and camp physicals are part of ensuring they can have as much fun as possible!
Most importantly, always remain calm and positive yourself. Parents who have a positive, reassuring approach have far less anxious children during yearly physical examinations.
