New backpack? Check. Fresh pencils and notebooks? Check. A wellness visit with your child’s doctor? It’s the most important box you can check this back-to-school season.
Before kids head into the classroom or onto the field, a visit to the pediatrician helps ensure they’re ready — physically, mentally and developmentally — for the school year ahead.
Annual wellness visits are more than just a quick check-up. They’re a chance to track growth, update immunizations and talk about anything from nutrition and sleep to emotional well-being.
Whether your child is entering kindergarten or heading into high school, a wellness visit helps set the stage for success.
What’s Included in a Back-to-School Checkup?
Annual wellness visits are more than just a quick once-over. Well-checks are a comprehensive look at your child’s current health, growth and development. A typical visit includes:
- A full physical exam and growth check
- Developmental screening and milestone review
- Vision and hearing tests
- Immunization updates
- A sports physical, if needed
- A chance for parents and kids to ask questions
Wellness visits are also a great opportunity to talk about social and emotional health — like how your child is adjusting to school, managing anxiety or sleep struggles, and building healthy screentime habits.
One Visit. Multiple To-Dos.
Is your child playing school sports this year? Most schools require a sports physical before participation. The good news: it can often be completed during their wellness visit. One appointment, multiple to-dos checked off your list.
And don’t forget about immunizations. Your pediatrician will check to make sure your child is up to date on required school vaccines, including Tdap, MMR, meningococcal and HPV for preteens and teens.
Want to know what to expect at well-checks? Download our guide to Wellness Checks from Newborn to Teenage Years with a complete schedule designed to know which vaccines are recommended by age.
Book Early. Stay Ahead.
As the school year approaches, pediatric appointments fill up fast. Scheduling early helps avoid last-minute stress and ensures your child starts school with everything they need.
Many of our clinics offer same-day, after-school and Saturday appointments, making it easier than ever to fit a visit into your busy schedule. Whether you’re getting a checkup, a sports physical or a vaccine update, we make care convenient for your family.
Getting in before school starts helps avoid last-minute scrambles — and school absences later.
Why Yearly Visits Matter
Even if your child seems healthy and active, don’t skip their annual checkup. Wellness visits play a critical role in catching concerns early — when they’re most manageable — and supporting your child’s growth and development over time.
From identifying vision or hearing issues to spotting early signs of chronic conditions such as asthma or scoliosis, these visits help you stay ahead. They also give children a chance to get comfortable at the doctor’s office and start learning how to talk about their own health.
Partnering with Parents
Your child’s pediatrician is a partner in your family’s health journey — not just someone to call when your child is sick. These annual visits are a time to ask questions and raise concerns about:
- Nutrition and activity
- School performance
- Social development
- Mental and emotional health
- Safety topics like helmets, internet use or vaping
These conversations help support not just your child’s body, but their overall well-being.
What to Bring to a Back-to-School Doctor Visit
Make the most of your child’s checkup by coming prepared. Bring any school-required forms, a list of your questions, and your child’s glasses or hearing aids if needed. If you’re seeing a new provider, bring their immunization records, too.
It’s a small step that helps your care team support your child’s health and success, on and off campus.
Schedule Now and Check It Off Your List
Between shopping for school supplies and planning carpools, don’t forget the checkup that helps your child start strong and stay healthy all year long.
Whether your child needs a wellness visit, sports physical or vaccine catch-up, we’re here to help — on your schedule.
