Your Child’s Wellness Visit Is More Than a Checkup
At Episcopal Health Services (EHS), pediatric wellness visits are designed to support your child’s growth and development at every stage, not simply to confirm that everything is fine once a year.
Your child’s primary care provider builds a relationship with your family over time, tracking how your child grows and developing a clear picture of their health history. This ongoing connection allows your provider to catch concerns earlier, offer more personalized guidance, and be a trusted resource when questions come up between visits.
What Happens During a Pediatric Wellness Visit?
Every visit may vary slightly depending on your child’s age, but you can generally expect:
- Measurement of height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) to assess healthy growth
- Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing checks
- A head-to-toe physical exam
- Review of your child’s medical history and any current concerns
- Developmental screening to assess age-appropriate milestones
- Hearing and vision checks (at certain ages)
- Vaccination review and any recommended immunizations
- Guidance on nutrition, sleep, screen time, physical activity, and healthy habits
- Referrals to specialists or other services, if needed
What to Expect Based on Your Child’s Age
Infants: At infant well-child visits, your provider will track growth in weight, length, and head circumference, examine your baby from head to toe, and look for age-appropriate developmental milestones. They will also check for any signs of infection or concern and discuss feeding, sleep and safety.
Toddlers and Preschoolers: As your child grows, visits will include hearing and vision checks and conversations about language development, social skills, sleep habits and screen time. Your provider will ask how your child is interacting with others as well as family members at home.
School-Age Children: Visits for school-age children focus on physical activity, sleep, academic development and emotional well-being. Your provider will discuss healthy habits and any behavioral or social changes you’ve noticed.
Teens: Adolescent visits are tailored to the changes that come with puberty. Your provider will address topics like mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and sexual health in an age-appropriate, confidential and supportive way. Teens are encouraged to speak openly with their provider.
Why Annual Wellness Visits Matter
Children grow and change quickly, and regular visits help ensure nothing is missed along the way. Wellness visits help:
- Monitor growth and development over time
- Detect potential concerns before they become more serious
- Keep vaccinations and screenings up to date
- Identify risk factors based on personal and family history
- Support your child’s emotional and behavioral health alongside their physical health
- Build a trusting relationship between your child and their provider
Even when your child seems perfectly healthy, preventive care plays an important role in keeping them that way.
Specialized Pediatric Care at EHS
In addition to general pediatric wellness and primary care, EHS offers a range of pediatric subspecialties for children who need more focused medical support. These include:
- Neonatology — specialized care for newborns, including premature or medically complex infants, supported by our Level II NICU
- Pediatric Endocrinology — care for conditions involving growth, development, diabetes, and other hormonal disorders
- Pediatric Neurology — evaluation and treatment of nervous system conditions such as seizures, developmental delays and headaches
- Pediatric Pulmonology — diagnosis and management of lung and respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic lung disease
- Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health — mental health services for children and teens facing emotional, behavioral or developmental challenges
Your child’s primary care provider can help coordinate a referral to any of these services if needed. Learn more about the full scope of EHS Pediatric Services.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
To make the most of your appointment, please bring:
- Your child’s immunization records, if available
- A list of any current medications or supplements
- Your insurance card and identification
- Any questions or concerns you’d like to discuss
It can also help to write down any changes you’ve noticed in your child’s behavior, development or mood prior to the appointment.
Schedule a Pediatric Wellness Visit at EHS
EHS offers pediatric primary care for children from infancy through adolescence. If your child is due for their annual checkup or you are seeking to establish care with a provider who will grow with your family, we’re here to help.
Find a pediatric provider or call 718-EHS-DOCS to schedule an appointment today. Learn more about our full range of services on the EHS Pediatrics page.