Preventive Care for Children's Illnesses and Behavioural Conditions: 10 Important Things Parents Should Take Note
Actively monitoring and caring for your child’s health is one of the most important roles you have as a parent. By keeping a close eye on their development, you can ensure that your child is growing and thriving. This also makes it possible for you to identify any potential health or developmental issues early on and ensure that your child benefits from early intervention.
With that said, here are 10 essential things to remember to keep track of your child’s developmental milestones and ensure they are in the best of health.
Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Having regular checkups with your child’s paediatrician is key to monitoring their physical and mental growth and development. These visits provide an opportunity for the doctor to assess your child’s overall health, track their growth through measurements, and ensure they are meeting developmental milestones. Make sure to keep a record of these visits and note any advice or recommendations given by the healthcare provider. Take note as well of when you last brought your child to a Singapore hospital or clinic for medical attention. This way, you can clearly identify any concerns early on and address them promptly.
Follow a Vaccination Schedule
Vaccines can protect your child against various diseases and are a critical component of preventive healthcare. Stay up-to-date with your child’s vaccination schedule and ensure you have a detailed record of all the vaccinations your child has received. Also, take note of when the next ones are due. You can use Singapore’s National Immunisation Registry as a comprehensive reference for your child’s vaccination schedule.
Keep a Growth Chart
Growth charts allow you to track your child’s measurements and compare them with standardised patterns. During regular check-ups, your paediatrician will record your child’s height, weight, and head circumference and then help you identify any deviations that may need further investigation. Keep an updated copy of these charts and review them periodically.
Track Developmental Milestones
Monitoring your child’s developmental milestones is essential for understanding your child’s progress in key areas such as motor skills, language, social interactions, and cognitive development. Observe when your child achieves typical milestones for their age range and if you notice any significant delays or concerns, discuss them with your paediatrician as soon as possible. This way, your child can benefit from early intervention and receive immediate assistance for potential developmental issues.
Provide an Age-Appropriate Diet
A balanced diet is fundamental to your child’s growth and development. Make sure your little one receives all the necessary nutrients they need by offering them a wide variety of healthy foods. Pay attention to portion sizes and, as much as possible, include fruits and vegetables with every meal. It’s also a smart idea to limit sugary snacks and drinks. Do note that growing children need plenty of protein, carbohydrates, calcium, and iron, so incorporate foods that contain these nutrients into your child’s diet as much as you can. Keep a food diary to help you track your child’s dietary intake and identify any nutritional gaps.
If you have concerns about their nutrition, consult a paediatric nutritionist for guidance. You can do this during your child’s regular checkups for convenience.
Ensure They Get Physical Activity
Getting regular physical activity is essential for your child’s physical and mental health as it helps develop motor skills, improves mood, and fosters healthy habits from a young age. It’s good for kids to play and engage in physical activities that promote fitness, such as playing outdoors, swimming, or participating in sports. At the same time, children also need to rest every now and then. To maintain the right balance, monitor your child’s activity levels and advise them to take a break when needed. Ideally, children and young teens should get about 60 minutes of light to moderate physical activity daily.
Watch Their Sleep Patterns
Children need more sleep than adults because children are still growing and developing. It’s best to encourage your child early on to develop good sleep hygiene. Start by establishing a consistent bedtime routine and ensure they are getting about 9 to 11 hours of good quality sleep. Monitor their sleep patterns as well and feel free to make adjustments if you notice any issues, such as difficulty falling asleep or frequent night awakenings.
Check Their Hearing and Vision
Your child’s hearing and vision are critical for development and learning. Thus, it’s important to address problems in the senses as soon as possible. Have your child undergo regular hearing and vision checks to detect and correct any potential issues early. Talk to your child’s paediatrician to schedule routine screenings. At the same time, be observant of any signs of problems, such as difficulty hearing conversations or squinting when reading or looking at a screen.
Pay Attention to Behaviour and Social Skills
Your child’s behaviour and social interactions provide insight into their emotional and social development. To keep track of their emotional and social growth, pay attention to how they interact with peers, handle their feelings, and respond to social situations. Encouraging positive social interactions and addressing behavioural concerns early can help your child develop healthy relationships and coping skills.
Promote Emotional Well-Being
Supporting your child’s emotional well-being is just as important as their physical health. As a parent, you need to take the initiative in creating a loving and secure environment where your child can feel safe to express their emotions. Be attentive to signs of stress or anxiety and offer support and reassurance as well. Ensuring your child’s emotional health helps them build resilience and cope with life’s challenges.
It takes a village to raise a child, and working closely with healthcare providers and other professionals is key to ensuring your little one’s proper growth and development. Be diligent and engaged in your child’s health and development so that you can provide them with the best start in life, setting the foundation for a healthy and thriving future.
Carelle
Carelle is a teacher who has been through the ups and downs of the teacher and learner life. She wishes for every learner to gain educational satisfaction that will help embody the people they want to be in the future.
