MIDDLE CHILDHOOD: 9 & 10 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 increased social and emotional skills and a sense of right and wrong
- Understand health and wellness and what she can do to achieve them
- Show that he is becoming more responsible; making good decisions on his own
- Demonstrate caring relationships with family, other adults, and other children
- Appear self-confident, hopeful; has a sense of well-being
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: Performance; homework; bullying; readiness for middle school
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Development and emotional health (mental health): Self esteem; family time; getting along with family, friends; temper; setting "reasonable" limits; self-care; growth spurts, beginning puberty
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Food/eating and Physical Activity: Weight concerns; body image; importance of breakfast; limiting high-fat foods; water instead of soda or juice; family meals; physical activity
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Oral Health: Daily brushing and flossing; fluoride; regular visits to the dentist
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Safety: Seat belts; helmets; bicycles; swimming; sunscreen; knowing child's friends; supervising child with friends; smoking/alcohol/drugs; guns
The 9 & 10 Year Visit: What To Expect
Your health provider will do a physical exam, covering your child with a drape for privacy, and check height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and blood pressure; observe skin for tattoos, injuries. Check spine. Check for beginnings of sexual maturity. May carry out screening tests: vision, others as indicated.
- Immunizations: See chart for any needed at this age.