Your Checkup Checklist: 7 Years Old

At 7 years old, most children begin to understand more about rules, relationships and social behaviors.

As their moral development continues, they are absorbing ideas of right and wrong that become their own. It's an important time for your child to learn from others around them and observe different values.

Most children this age spend a lot of time with their peers at school. They may also be spending more time at after-school activities like sports or art. If putting your child in extracurricular activities is an option for your family, consider talking with them about what they would enjoy doing.

What to expect at the 7-year well-child visit

Like last year's annual check-up, your pediatrician will directly ask your child some questions. They may ask about school and what they have been learning recently, for example. They may also talk with your child about what they do on breaks from school and how they like to spend their time. Having activities they enjoy and can become good at helps your child build self-esteem, which is important to mental health.

Here's what else to expect at this visit:

✅ Immunizations

At 7 years old, your child should have already received several booster shots. If your child has missed any vaccines in the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis) series, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) series, polio series, or varicella (chickenpox) series, your pediatrician will recommend they receive the next doses. A vaccine series does not need to be restarted, regardless of how much time has elapsed between doses. Your pediatrician will also recommend the influenza (flu) vaccine during flu season and will discuss the latest COVID-19 vaccine guidelines.

Many schools require proof of vaccination, and your child's pediatrician can provide an updated record. Make sure to check with your child's school if they have any additional vaccine requirements. You can use these tips to make getting a shot less stressful on your child.

✅ Health Screening

Your child's pediatrician will perform a full physical exam for your child. If your child is at risk of hearing and vision changes based on previous checkups or family history, they may also need vision and hearing screenings. In addition, the doctor may screen your child for anemia, oral health risks, lead exposure and infections such as tuberculosis or hepatitis B.

In addition to screening for physical health concerns, your pediatrician will also perform a behavioral/social/emotional health screening for your child. They may ask about your child's safety in school, in your neighborhood and at their extracurricular activities. They want to make sure your child is safe in your neighborhood and in other spaces. If needed, your doctor can provide community resources that discuss housing, food, and social and emotional support.

Questions your pediatrician may ask you

• Has your child or anyone in your family developed a new health condition since the last visit? Has your child received any specialty or emergency care recently?

• Do you have concerns about your child's friendships? Is there any bullying in your child's school?

• Do you feel safe in your home and neighborhood? Has your child expressed any concerns about not feeling safe at extracurricular activities?

• Are you concerned about anyone in your home or around your child that drinks, smokes or uses drugs?
  

Questions your pediatrician may ask your child

• What is your favorite thing you have learned in school? What do you like to do after school?

• Do you have any questions about your health today?
  
  

✅ Developmental Screenings

At 7 years old, your child will act with much more independence than before. They will want to make more of their own choices, which is a sign of healthy growth and development. Kids this age will typically participate in physical activities at school, and some may want to do more of these activities outside of school, too. It is recommended that children this age get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Your pediatrician will also discuss your child's progress in school. It is important to understand if your child is able to follow directions and listen to their teachers. Some children may struggle in school or start falling behind; if you have concerns about your child's academics, bring them up to your pediatrician. They may suggest screening for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other learning differences.

Your child will also begin to have more responsibilities at home. Things like making their own bed, picking out clothes for school and setting the table are all appropriate chores for a 7-year-old. Learning to complete tasks like these can help your child grow a sense of accomplishment and become confident in their abilities.

Your doctor may mention that this is a good age for a discussion about the start of puberty within the family. Puberty may have begun in some girls and is marked by breast development. This can occur as early as 7 years old.

Questions your pediatrician may ask you

• Do you have any concerns about your child's behavior in school? Are they able to follow rules and directions? How have they been progressing since last year?

• Does your child have chores or tasks they do at home? How does your family support growing your child's responsibility?

• Does your child use kindness when playing with other kids? How does your child interact with adults in their life?

• Has your child asked any questions about puberty?
  

Questions your pediatrician may ask your child

• What is something feel like you are good at? What are some things that make you happy?

• What goals do you set for yourself at home, in school, or in extracurricular activities?

• What do you do for physical activity? Are there any sports or clubs you enjoy?

• Questions you may have

• My child is acting out during school, how can I help?

• What chores and tasks should my child be doing at home?
  

✅Feeding & Healthy Nutrition

As 7-year-olds spend time in school and outside of your home, they may be making their own choices about meals and snacks. If your child receives breakfast and lunch from their school, it is important that they know which eating choices are healthy. Your child learns nutritious eating practices at home, which can help them make healthy choices.

If you pack your child lunch or snacks for school, it is important to provide them with balanced options and nutritious food. Providing your children with choices in their lunch will give them more control over their eating patterns. This can also help your child learn how to make healthy choices on their own.

Questions your pediatrician may ask you

• Does your child eat school lunch? Do you know what options they serve? What does your child choose each day?

• Do you pack your child's lunch or snacks? What options do you provide?

• Does your child do any after-school programs or activities? Are they provided with snacks or do you send snacks with your child?

• Does your family eat together? It is important for mealtimes to be social, without cell phones and TV taking attention away.

• What does your child drink at home and at school? It is important your child has the enough water each day.
  

Questions your pediatrician may ask your child

• What are some of your favorite foods? Do you have a favorite healthy food you eat at school?

• Do you ever help make meals or snacks at home?
  

Questions you may have

• What can I do if my child is a picky eater?

• How can I make sure my child gets all their vitamins?
  
  

✅ Safety

Media may start to be a bigger part of your 7-year-old's life. Some schools may use computers or other digital technology for learning starting at this age. Your child may ask to play video games or use websites that allow them to talk to their friends or even strangers. It is important to monitor your child's internet use to make sure they are avoiding inappropriate content. Implementing a Family Media Plan can help your child stay safe online.

At this age, your child may try to prove that they are grown up. It is important to still set boundaries with them. Parents should teach street safety, playground safety, and basic swimming skills. 7-year-olds should use a booster seat in the car; make sure they are always properly buckled in and in the back seat.

Children in homes where firearms are present are in more danger of being shot by themselves, family or friends than by an intruder. If you have a gun in your home, keep it unloaded and in a locked place with the ammunition locked separately. It is also important to ask if homes where your child visits have guns and how they are stored.

Make sure your child knows they can come to you any concerns about their safety at school or anywhere else that scares them. They should also know that they can always talk freely with their pediatrician, as well.

Questions your pediatrician may ask you

• Have you taught your child about appropriate and inappropriate touch?

• How does your child get to and from school? Does your school confirm who is picking your child up each day?

• Have you talked to your child about internet safety? Do you have concerns about your child's media use?
  

• Has your child learned how to swim?
  

Questions your pediatrician may ask your child

• What seat do you sit in when riding in the car?

• Who would you come to if you had a problem at school or at an extracurricular activity?

• Do you always wear a helmet when biking or skating?
  

Questions you may have

• How should I let my child have more freedom as they are developing?

• How can I keep my child safe in the sun? How can they play safely in the winter?
  
  

✅ Communication Tips

Your pediatrician's top priority is to attend to you and your child's concerns. They can refer you elsewhere if specialty care is needed or if it is after hours. Pediatricians can also refer you to resources available in your community.

More information

• Books that Build Character and Teach Your Child Important Values

• How Media Use Can Affect Your Child
  

• When Puberty Starts Early
  

• Problems With Peers: When Your Child Feels Left Out