Regular well-child examinations by your child's doctor are essential to keep your child healthy and up-to-date on immunizations against many dangerous childhood diseases. A checkup also gives your child's doctor an opportunity to talk to you about developmental and safety issues and gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about your child's overall health.

Your child's doctor will check your child's immunization record to see if any vaccinations are needed. Booster doses of DTaP, IPV, and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) are usually given between your child's 4^th birthday and school entry. A tuberculin skin test (PPD) may be done to check for exposure to tuberculosis.

Your child's doctor will check for crossed eyes and any vision and hearing problems.

Your child's doctor will also check your child's teeth for tooth decay, abnormal tooth development, malocclusion (abnormal bite), dental injuries, and other problems. In addition to the doctor's evaluation of your child's mouth, your child should be making regular visits to the dentist.

During this exam, your child's doctor will also check your child's development in both physical, behavioral, and social areas. Your child's doctor will ask a series of questions to see whether your child's everyday behavior is age appropriate, how well she operates in social situations, and how well she can communicate and understand directions.

Developmental milestones for 4-year-olds include being able to:

• help with household tasks
• play cooperatively with other children
• understand the concept of gender
• identify colors

Developmental milestones for 5-year-olds include being able to:

• dress independently and tie shoes
• recall address and phone number
• draw a body
• print first name

Your child's doctor will also check physical milestones: Can your 4-year-old hop or jump on one foot? Has your 5-year-old mastered skipping?

Child safety is another topic of paramount concern. Your child's doctor will reinforce the importance of using age-appropriate car seats, closely supervising children around swimming pools, using bicycle helmets and other protective gear, not smoking around children, using sunscreen, and protecting children against exposed wires, outlets, and heat sources. In homes with firearms, guns and ammunition should be stored separately and kept locked at all times.

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