If your child is starting school, then you want them to be healthy. We offer preschool and kindergarten physicals to check on your child’s overall health before starting their school careers. At Port City Pediatrics, we specialize in children’s sports physicals. If your child needs a physical before they can play sports, give us a call.
Why Does My Child Need a Physical?
While some schools don’t require that your child has a physical before starting preschool or kindergarten, some will. Even if they don’t, this exam helps you understand how your child is doing and assesses their growth and development. During the physical, our doctors check your child’s height and weight, pulse, and blood pressure. We may also do a brief vision screening and see the child’s range of motion.
Right before kindergarten is a good time for your child to get their 4- to 5-year-old vaccinations. We offer these as part of the kindergarten physical, and these vaccines protect your child from illnesses and diseases. We can also give your preschooler or kindergartener a flu shot as part of the physical.
When Should My Child Come In?
We recommend that your child have yearly visits with their physician starting at 2 years of age. This helps us, and you, to follow and keep track of their growth and development over the years, making sure they are hitting all the important milestones.
When you and your children come in for a kindergarten or preschool physicals depends on your schedule. Port City Pediatrics has many different appointment openings for you to choose from. You can come in just before starting school or a few months prior. If you aren’t sure when would be best, then feel free to call our office to discuss your situation and the available times.
Sports Physicals
Most sports camps and schools require children to get a doctor’s physical before the child can join a sports team. Sports physicals are required to determine the child’s health and whether they can withstand the physical demands of their chosen activity. When you bring your child to Port City Pediatrics, our trained pediatric physicians will go over your child’s behavior and medical history with you. This allows us to set a good baseline for the kind of activity your child is suited for and to work around any existing health issues your child has. For example, a child with asthma may require a different strength of medication if they are involved in a cardio-intense sport such as soccer or lacrosse. A child with sensitive skin may need a prescription lotion or ointment if they engage in water sports such as swimming or polo.
What Happens During a Physical?
A sports physical is the next step up from a regular checkup. The doctor will check your child’s height and weight, look for warning signs of any potential problems, and check your child’s reflexes. If necessary, blood and urine analysis can be obtained to check for specific issues. Gender-specific issues may also be addressed, such as a hernia check for boys and addressing questions about menstruation for girls.
How Do I Schedule an Appointment?
To schedule an appointment for your child’s sports physical, call Port City Pediatrics at 231-737-0411 and select option 1.