1. Ask about the child’s diet, nutrition, and eating habits:
A 3-year-old child should have a balanced and healthy diet with regular mealtimes that include nutritious food from all the major food groups such as fruits and vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy products. It is important to make sure that your child has adequate calorie intake and is not eating too much processed or sugary food.
2. Assess the child’s development and physical growth:
It is important to check your 3-year-old's height, weight and head circumference as these can help monitor overall growth for the age group. You should also discuss any new skills or milestones that your child has achieved such as walking, talking, or counting.
3. Check the child’s vision and hearing:
Your healthcare provider may ask you to cover one of your child's eyes while they perform a visual acuity test to evaluate their ability to see clearly at various distances. The provider may also use an audiometer to assess your child's hearing capabilities if they are suspected to have hearing problems.
4. Make sure that all vaccinations are up-to-date:
Vaccines are important for protecting your child from preventable diseases and illnesses. It is important to make sure that the vaccines administered before age 3 are up-to-date and any additional doses required for your child’s age should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
5. Look for any signs of developmental delays or problems:
Your healthcare provider may observe behaviors such as walking, talking, interacting with others, following instructions, or playing with toys in order to determine whether your child has any delays in development or possible issues that need to be addressed.
6. Identify any social or emotional concerns:
Your healthcare provider may ask questions about how your child interacts with you and other children, their ability to express emotions such as fear, anger, or sadness, and how they handle different types of situations.
7. Discuss any issues or questions that you may have about your child’s health:
Make sure to bring up any concerns or questions that you may have regarding your child's health, development, or overall well-being so that the healthcare provider can provide guidance.
8. Check the child’s teeth and gums and talk about proper hygiene:
It is important to keep track of your 3-year-old's oral hygiene by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and having regular dental check-ups. Talk to your healthcare provider about any issues with cavities or gum health.
9. Discuss any safety concerns such as car seat use, bicycle helmets, and safe sleep practices:
It is important to discuss road safety rules with your 3-year old such as always wearing a seat belt while in the car, wearing a helmet while riding a bike, and having appropriate rides or seats for different surfaces and activities. Discussing safe sleep practices such as sleeping on their back, keeping toys off of the bed, and having cribs that meet safety standards are also important topics to cover in this age group.
10. Talk to your provider about any specific health concerns you may have for your child:
If you have any specific concerns about your child's overall health or development, make sure to bring them up to the healthcare provider so that they can provide guidance. This may include asthma, allergies, eczema, autism spectrum disorder, and more.