Children’s Routine Check-ups: What is checked at Each Stage

🧠 Why Are Children’s Check-ups So Important?

From baby giggles to teenage growth spurts, children go through incredible physical and emotional changes. Yet unlike adults, they can’t always express what’s wrong — or even know when something is wrong.

That’s exactly why children’s routine check-ups are essential. These visits allow paediatricians to track your child’s development, catch any concerns early, and support long-term healthy growth — before small issues turn into bigger problems.

In this guide, we’ll take you through each life stage, showing what paediatricians look for and how these check-ups support your child’s overall wellbeing.

📅 First, What Are Paediatric Check-ups?

Also known as well-child visits, these are scheduled health reviews that begin shortly after birth and continue right through to the teenage years.

These check-ups typically include:

Physical exams
Growth and development monitoring
Immunisations
Vision and hearing checks
Behavioural, emotional and social assessments
Parental guidance and education

✅ Think of them as your child’s health report card, updated regularly to guide their journey from infancy to independence.

🍼 Infants (0–12 Months): Rapid Growth in Action

Let’s begin with the first year — arguably the most dynamic stage of physical development.

At this age, paediatricians are focused on:

Weight gain and head circumference
Motor skills like lifting the head or rolling over
Hearing and vision responses
Feeding and sleeping patterns
Early signs of developmental delays

📆 Check-up Schedule: At 6–8 weeks, 3–4 months, 6–8 months, and 12 months
💉 Vaccinations: Hepatitis B, DTaP, rotavirus, meningitis, and more [1]

🗣️ Why this matters: Early identification of feeding, sensory or neurological issues can set your child on the right path from the start.

🚼 Toddlers (1–3 Years): Exploring the World

Next, as toddlers begin to walk and talk, their world (and yours) becomes much more interactive.

At this stage, paediatricians will monitor:

Walking, climbing, and fine motor skills
First words and following instructions
Interaction with parents and strangers
Temperament, behaviour and attention span
Nutrition and sleep routines

📆 Annual check-ups are recommended during these years
💉 Booster shots are given for key childhood immunisations [2]

🗣️ Why this matters: This is a critical window for catching developmental delays, speech disorders, or behavioural concerns that could benefit from early intervention.

🧒 Preschoolers (3–5 Years): Learning Through Play

As your child becomes more independent and prepares for school, social learning and language development take centre stage.

During preschool check-ups, paediatricians will assess:

Attention span and listening skills
Language development and early literacy
Social behaviour and interactions with peers
Toilet training progress
Emotional regulation and play routines

👁 Vision screening typically begins at this stage
🧠 Behavioural assessments become more structured

🗣️ Why this matters: Identifying learning or hearing difficulties early can make a huge difference to your child’s success and confidence in school.

🧑‍🎓 School-Age Children (6–12 Years): Steady Growth and New Pressures

As children settle into school routines, they begin facing more complex challenges — academically, socially and emotionally.

During this phase, paediatricians will look at:

Height, weight and BMI tracking
Attention and behaviour in school
Physical activity and diet
Screen time, sleep quality, and peer relationships
Signs of early puberty (especially from age 8 onwards)

🧪 Optional screenings like blood pressure or cholesterol may begin
🧬 Family history reviews become more relevant for anticipating inherited conditions

🗣️ Why this matters: These years often set the tone for lifelong habits — and also mark the first signs of stress, anxiety, or behavioural issues that might require support.

🧑‍⚕️ Teenagers (13–18 Years): Navigating Adolescence

Finally, the teenage years bring an entirely new set of health considerations. It’s a time of rapid emotional and physical change — and growing independence.

Here’s what paediatricians tend to cover:

Puberty, periods, and physical development
Nutrition, exercise, and body image
Mental health and stress levels
Risky behaviours like smoking, alcohol or unprotected sex
Academic pressure and sleep hygiene

🗣️ Why this matters: Adolescents often need a safe, private space to speak openly about their health concerns — and routine visits are a great opportunity to build that trust. Some clinics offer confidential teen consultations, where young people can ask questions in a non-judgemental environment.

🔁 What’s the Role of Parents or Guardians?

Alongside medical assessments, your role as a parent or guardian is just as important.

You should:

Keep a record of vaccinations and growth trends
Note and discuss any behavioural, sleep or learning concerns
Share relevant family health history
Encourage open conversations about feelings and fears
Help children view healthcare as safe, normal and proactive

👪 Consistent check-ups build a child’s trust in healthcare and help them develop lifelong habits of self-care. Also, check out our piece on What Should Be in Your Annual Health Screening to understand how the whole family can benefit from preventive care.

💬 What’s Your Take?

Are you keeping up with your child’s milestone reviews or has it been a while since their last routine check? Let us know in the comments — and don’t forget to tag a fellow parent who could use a gentle nudge!