As a key part of your child’s overall health and development, regular physical exams not only ensure that your child is healthy and growing well physically, emotionally, and mentally but also help identify any health concerns early on.
Children’s physical exams, whether school physicals, sports physicals, or regular physical exams, should be done by their pediatrician – a medical doctor who specializes in the unique health needs of children of all ages, from newborns to adolescents.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of physical exams for children and where you can go to see a pediatrician for your child’s comprehensive physical exam.
Identify Health Issues Early On
A child should get regular physical exams every year throughout infancy, early childhood, and adolescence. These physical exams help their pediatrician identify and address any health issues early on.
During a physical exam, a pediatrician focuses on the child’s height, weight, blood pressure levels, oxygen levels, hearing, vision, flexibility, strength, posture, and balance. They also listen to and examine their chest, heart, lungs abdomen, and other organs to identify any abnormalities.
Monitor Growth and Development
The bodies and minds of kids rapidly change over the years. They experience remarkable growth in their height, weight, motor skills, social skills, and language skills. Regular physical exams are crucial in the early years of life, as they provide pediatricians with the opportunity to track the child’s growth and developmental milestones, ensuring that they are progressing as expected.
Regular physicals also allow pediatricians to offer guidance to parents on age-appropriate activities and to answer parents’ questions about the growth and development of their child.
Verify Health to Participate In Certain Activities
Children and adolescents need clearance from their pediatricians before starting a new academic year or participating in a new physical activity. Through physical exams, pediatricians assess a child’s physical, mental, and behavioral health and ensure that they can engage in their academic curriculum or physical activity without being hindered by health problems.
Get Preventive Care
Preventive care refers to the care that a child receives to prevent illnesses. Regular physical exams and wellness checkups are a great way to receive preventive care, in the form of vaccinations and immunizations, screening, and guidance on lifestyle modifications.
Build a Trusted Relationship With The Pediatrician
Routine physical exams and wellness checkups are crucial to building a trusted relationship with the pediatrician. This is because when your child sees a pediatrician regularly for their physical exams, they become more acquainted with them and are able to establish a long relationship with them. Seeing a pediatrician regularly over time also fosters a sense of comfort in the child with the pediatrician.
Kids’ Physical Exams in Purchase, NY
If your child is due for a wellness checkup or a physical exam and you are looking for a compassionate and experienced pediatrician, visit us here at Westchester Park Pediatrics. Our highly skilled, compassionate, and board-certified pediatricians work tirelessly to help provide children with the highest quality pediatric care in a nurturing environment. We offer routine wellness checkups, school physicals, vaccination and immunization, treatment for ADHD and eating disorders, and much more.
If you would like to schedule your child’s physical examination, contact our staff today at (914) 761-1717 or request an appointment now.
