Your Child's 9-Year Checkup

Checkups are a way to make sure your child is growing well and help you find out if there are any health problems. After the visit, make an appointment for your child's 10-year checkup.

• Help your child learn healthy eating habits:

  • Eat together as a family as often as possible.

  • When making a plate, half of the plate should be fruits and vegetables, one-quarter should be starch (such as whole-grain pasta or whole-grain bread), and one-quarter should be protein (such as lean meats or fish).

  • Give your child about 3 dairy servings a day. This can include low-fat or nonfat milk, fortified soy milk, and low-fat cheese and yogurt. Non-dairy sources of calcium include fortified juice, cereal, and bread; dark leafy greens; and tofu (calcium-set).

  • Limit soda, sports drinks, sweets, and high-fat foods.

  • If your child drinks juice, limit it to no more than 8 ounces (240 ml) of 100% fruit juice a day.

  • Teach your child to eat when hungry, not out of boredom or habit (such as eating while watching TV) and stop when full.

• Encourage your child to get at least 1 hour of physical activity every day. Playing outside, running, and gymnastics are great ways for kids this age to stay active. Have fun being active together and be a good role model by having your own exercise routine.

• Help your child make a plan for media use (including smartphones, tablets, computers, video games, and TV). The plan should:

  • Help your child balance screen use with healthy behaviors like spending time with others, being active, and getting enough sleep.

  • Make the bedroom a media-free room.

  • Make mealtimes media-free.

  • Help your child understand how to use the Internet safely.

• Lack of sleep can make it hard to pay attention in school and to behave well. Help your child get 9–12 hours of sleep each night:

  • Keep regular bed and wake times.

  • Encourage a relaxing bedtime routine.

  • Help your child avoid caffeine (found in coffee, tea, sodas, and chocolate).

• Talk about the dangers of smoking (including e-cigarettes), using drugs, and drinking alcohol.

• Stay involved with your child's school.

• Set a regular time for homework. The study space should be quiet and well-lit. Offer support as needed, but let your child do the work. If your child needs a lot of help with homework, talk to the teacher.

• Continue to read aloud with your child.

• Encourage your child to try sports, after-school clubs, and other activities of interest.

• Talk with your child, the teacher, and/or the principal if you're worried about bullying.

• Talk about the normal changes that happen during puberty: the development of oily skin or body odor and the growth of hair in the armpits and pubic area. Answer questions simply and use the proper names for sexual body parts. Girls usually get their first period about 2 years after breasts begin developing. Boys may have wet dreams (ejaculation during sleep) and their voices may begin to deepen and crack. Encourage your child to ask questions.

• Discuss the need for regular washing. Some kids may need to start wearing deodorant.

• Understand that your child's friendships are very important. Teach your child that a good friend cares about other people's feelings, follows the rules, and helps others. Get to know your child's friends and their families. Be a good role model by saying you're sorry when you make a mistake, being kind to others, and using words calmly when you're angry (instead of yelling or hitting).

• Your child is safest in the back seat of the car until 13 years old. Use a booster seat until your child is 4 feet 9 inches (145 cm) tall and can wear the lap belt flat across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt across the shoulder.

• Be sure your child uses the Internet only where you can easily watch. Put safety filters on computers and check which websites your child visits. Know who your child is talking to. Tell your child to come to you if feeling threatened, bullied, or uncomfortable.

• Talk about how to be safe with adults. Teach your child to tell you right away if anyone:

  • wants to see or touch private parts or asks for help with private parts

  • asks for a secret to be kept from parents

  • makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe

• Teach your child what to do in case of an emergency, including how and when to dial 911.

• Teach your child to watch carefully for traffic when crossing the street, riding a bike, or playing outside.

• Use proper sports safety equipment including helmets, mouth and eye guards, and padding.

• A gun in the home increases the risk of accidents and injury. If you do have a gun, keep it unloaded and locked up. Bullets should be locked separately from the gun.

• Teach your child how to swim, but only allow swimming when an adult is watching.

• Do not allow anyone to smoke around your child.

• Make sure your child brushes their teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice daily, flosses once a day, and sees a dentist once every 6 months. 

• In the sun, protect your child's skin with a water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and re-apply every 2 hours or more often if swimming or sweating.

• Follow your health care provider's instructions on immunizations (shots) and testing.

• Your health care provider can tell you about help that is available in the community or through a social worker. Talk to your health care provider if you're worried that:

  • You don't have enough food for your child.

  • You don't have a safe place to live.

  • You don't have health insurance.

  • You have a problem with drugs or alcohol.

• Call your child's health care provider if you have concerns about your child's health, growth, or development.