A well child checkup is a scheduled preventive visit with a pediatric provider that takes place when your child is not sick. These visits follow a set timeline, starting a few days after birth and continuing through adulthood at 18. At each appointment, the provider measures growth, performs a physical exam; they also talk about your child’s development. Here are some tips for discussing developmental milestones during pediatric visits:
Review Developmental Milestones
Developmental milestones are skills that most children reach by a certain age, such as smiling at people by 2 months or walking without help by 18 months. Your provider tracks these skills at every well child checkup. This ongoing process is called developmental surveillance, and it combines what the provider sees in the exam room with what you report from home.
During the visit, expect questions about recent changes. The provider may ask when your child started rolling over, whether they point to objects they want, or how many words they say. Your answers go into your child’s medical record, and providers compare progress from one visit to the next.
Check Core Skills
Children develop in several areas at the same time. To get a full picture, the provider looks at four main skill groups:
- Motor skills: Gross motor skills use the large muscles and include sitting, crawling, walking, and climbing stairs. Fine motor skills use the small muscles of the hands and fingers. Grasping a toy, stacking blocks, and scribbling with a crayon are fine motor skills. The provider often watches your child move during the exam.
- Language and communication: This area covers both speaking and understanding. A provider may note whether your baby babbles or if your toddler uses single words. Following simple directions also counts here.
- Social and emotional skills: These skills show how your child connects with others. The provider looks for eye contact, response to their name, and interest in games like peek-a-boo.
- Cognitive skills: Cognitive skills involve thinking, learning, and problem-solving. A toddler may use a cup or brush the right way, and a preschooler should sort objects by shape or color.
Complete Formal Screenings
At certain visits, the provider adds a standardized screening tool to the routine review. National pediatric guidelines recommend general developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months, along with autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months. Common tools include questionnaires that you complete before or during the appointment. Answer each question based on what your child does now, not what you expect them to do soon. The provider scores the results and reviews them with you. A screening is not a diagnosis. If results fall outside the expected range, the provider may recommend rescreening; they can also provide referrals to a specialist or early intervention program.
Schedule a Well Child Checkup
Well child checkups give you a regular, scheduled time to talk with a provider about your child’s development. Before each visit, write down your questions and any recent changes you have noticed. Regular visits help your provider track progress over time, and open communication lets you address concerns early. Contact a pediatrician today to schedule an appointment.
