Development

• School and peer relationships important.
• Help your child organize school things; keep in touch with your child's teacher regarding progress and any difficulties; set up a clear time and place for school work.
• Try not to over-schedule after school, especially during first few years.

Activities

• Be active with your child, walk to the park, bike or garden together.
• Read a minimum of 20 minutes a day.
• Keep screen time to less than 1 hour a day. Consider policy of no TV/screens on school nights.
• Discuss current events, advertising and books.

Safety

• Use a booster seat until adult seat belt fits and your child is 4'9" tall and 8-12 years old. To see if your child is ready try these tests:
  1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
  2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
  3. Does the lap belt fit snugly across the top of the thighs?
  4. Does the shoulder belt come across the center of the shoulder and chest?
  5. Can the child sit like this the whole trip?
• If the answer is no to these questions your child needs to ride in a booster seat. For further information call 1-800-BUCK-L-UP or visit www.carseat.org or www.boosterseat.org.
• If there are guns in your home, lock them and store ammunition separately under separate lock. Talk to your children about gun safety.
• Teach your child about your home fire plan, meeting location and how to get out.
• Continue to teach and reinforce personal safety and stranger training.
• Teach water and bicycle safety. Start swim lessons. Continue to be consistent with helmet use.

Parenting

• Model behaviors for your child. Self-esteem is largely a reflection of parental love and acceptance at this age.
• Discuss both your child's feelings and your feelings. Review the best/worst thing about your day and your child's day.
• Share your family values with your child. Ask what she/he thinks and feels about things. Openly discuss the hazards of smoking, drug use and alcohol.
• Listen carefully.
• Find time for yourself and your spouse.

Nutrition

• Educate about eating a balanced diet and reasons for it.
• Eat together as a family, with no TV. One meal for everyone if possible.
• Encourage milk and water. Limit juice and sweetened drinks.
• Do not reward /comfort with food. Go to the playground or library instead of going for a cookie or ice cream!
• Vitamins are not necessary unless you need fluoride supplementation. If you are concerned that he/she doesn't eat a balanced diet a multivitamin is okay.

Dental Hygiene

Continue taking your child to the dentist every 6 months. Ask for fluoride supplements if your child drinks non-fluorinated water.

Tests Today

Vision and hearing screenings.

Next Visit

Every other year. Some camp and sports forms require a yearly physical exam so please plan ahead. Summer is a good time to schedule your well child physicals at this age.

Books/Resources

• www.aap.org
• www.seattlechildrens.org
• www.kidshealth.org