{"id":1041,"date":"2011-02-24T09:00:32","date_gmt":"2011-02-24T14:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/candostreet.com\/blog-parents\/?p=1041"},"modified":"2011-02-24T08:44:33","modified_gmt":"2011-02-24T13:44:33","slug":"the-kindergarten-check-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/candostreetny.com\/blog-parents\/the-kindergarten-check-up\/","title":{"rendered":"The Kindergarten Check Up"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this\u00a0 post,<\/em> Denise A. Somsak, MD <\/em>details the kindergartner\u2019s well visit<\/em>. Dr. Somsak is a pediatrician and mother with young children. She blogs at www.pensivepediatrician.com<\/a> where she posts about areas of interest and concern for parents. <\/em><\/p>\n

My fifteen minute office visit is only 0.003% of the kindergartner\u2019s total year, but it\u2019s the culmination of our priorities as a society. \u00a0How communities, parents, educators and doctors\u00a0work together to invest in our children is reflected in the kindergarten check up. \u00a0When a child is healthy physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually that means the parents have succeeded on many levels and sometimes in spite of challenges like poverty, prematurity, speech delay, or maternal depression. \u00a0When all children even those with disabilities can access quality education and be prepared to learn, our future is more secure.<\/p>\n

Kindergarten readiness starts at birth with a safe and nurturing home environment filled with books and time for play, regular check ups, good nutrition, a quality pre-school experience with a chance to practice sharing and empathy with peers, and exposure to simple outings like the library or museum.<\/p>\n

The five year well visit is a time to celebrate the child\u2019s accomplishments, unique skills, and review health behaviors. \u00a0The child can tell me how often he brushes teeth, his favorite food, and what he watches on TV. \u00a0She can tell me if she rides in a booster seat or wears a bicycle helmet. \u00a0I ask who lives in the home and who the child\u2019s best friends are. \u00a0She answers with confidence or looks to her parent for help. \u00a0At this age, most children know their full name and sometimes part of an address or phone number. \u00a0They cooperate with the exam easily and are curious about my stethoscope and lights. \u00a0Children enthusiastically draw me a self portrait. \u00a0They excitedly handle the book that I provide while I ask parents about reading in the home. \u00a0They wait quietly and even though they inevitably interrupt, they are easily redirected.<\/p>\n

This interaction with the child<\/strong> demonstrates what I think are the three most important aspects of kindergarten readiness:<\/p>\n

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  1. Communication and <\/strong>social-emotional<\/strong> skills<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Inquisitive nature<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. Self control<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What I measure and review<\/strong>:<\/p>\n