Well Child Checks

Well Child Exams: Supporting Your Child’s Health at Every Stage At Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers, Well Child Exams are an important part of helping your child grow, learn, and stay healthy. These visits do more than check height and weight. They help ensure your child is developing physically, emotionally, and socially, and give […]

Well Child Exams: Supporting Your Child’s Health at Every Stage

At Bellaire and East Jordan Family Health Centers, Well Child Exams are an important part of helping your child grow, learn, and stay healthy. These visits do more than check height and weight. They help ensure your child is developing physically, emotionally, and socially, and give you time to talk with your care team about any concerns.

What happens during a Well Child Exam?

Your child’s visit may include:

Growth and developmental monitoring
Complete physical exam
Hearing and vision screenings
Emotional and behavioral health check-ins
Recommended immunizations
Completion of school, camp, or sports forms
Time to discuss sleep, nutrition, learning, and behavior

Regular Well Child visits are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help identify concerns early and keep children on track for healthy development.

Sports Physicals vs. Well Child Exams

Sports physicals are not a substitute for annual Well Child Exams. Well Child Visits include preventive care, developmental screenings, vaccines, and overall health support.

Whenever possible, families are encouraged to schedule a Well Child Exam and sports physical together during the same appointment. Combining these visits can help save time while ensuring your child receives comprehensive preventive care in addition to meeting school sports requirements.

Sports Physicals and School Requirements

Many student-athletes must complete a sports physical before participating in school athletics. According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, sports physicals must be completed on or after April 15 to be valid for the upcoming school year. Scheduling a Well Child Exam after April 15 can often meet both requirements, saving you an extra appointment.