MIDDLE CHILDHOOD: 7 & 8 Year Visits
Lifespan Ages & Stages:
Reminder: The Middle Childhood section has many recommendations for children as they grow. Most important, what you do at home every day matters and will have lifelong impact on your child's health and well-being.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
A measure used to help determine healthy weight. For children 2 – 19 years it is based on height, weight, and a child's developmental age. Learn more.
Getting Ready for this Visit
Write down your questions. Share anything new and exciting. These are important! You and your child should be ready to participate fully in the visit. You are a partner with your health care provider; your child is learning.
Children with special needs: Discuss how school is going, support services, etc. Bring your child's updated or new Individualized Education Program (IEP) to the visit, mention treatments, medications, or visits to specialists.
At this age, your child may:
- Show increased physical skills, thinking and reasoning abilities.
- Show social and emotional skills and a sense of right and wrong
- Understand health and wellness and what he can do to achieve them
- Have caring relationships with family and other children and adults.
What's Important for this Visit
YOUR questions and concerns are the #1 priority! Your health care provider may also discuss:
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School: Adjustment, behavior, progress; involvement with activities during and after school; bullying; parent involvement; special education or services
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Development and emotional health (mental health): Puberty; independence; self-esteem; rules and consequences; temper; managing disagreements
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Food/eating and physical activity: Healthy weight; food choices and amounts; calcium for bones; water instead of soda; enough activity; screen time limits
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Oral health: Daily brushing and flossing; fluoride; regular visits to the dentist
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Safety: Knowing your child's friends; supervision; car safety (belts/booster seats); helmets; playground, sports, swimming; sunscreen; smoke-free home/car; guns locked up; computer safety (games, Internet, email)
The 7 & 8 Year Visit: What To Expect
Your health care provider will do a physical exam, covering your child with a drape for privacy, and measure height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and blood pressure; observe teeth and mouth; ankle/knee/ hip movement; genitals. May carry out screening tests: vision, hearing, others as needed.
- Immunizations: See chart for any needed at this age.