4 years checkup
The 4-year checkup: what to expect and what to ask
Four is when a lot of quiet things get checked properly for the first time — eyes especially.
A child who cannot see well does not say so. They have nothing to compare it to; they just sit closer, or stop being interested in books.
What this visit usually covers
- A proper visual-acuity screen, and hearing.
- Blood pressure, growth and BMI.
- Pre-school immunisations, depending on the schedule where you are.
- Readiness for school: attention, following group instruction, and social play.
Worth asking
Take this in with you. The appointment moves faster than you expect, and the specific question gets a specific answer.
- How did the vision screen go, and what number does that translate to? Ask for the result rather than "fine".
- Is her attention span typical for four? The honest answer is usually reassuring.
- She is lying about small things. Is that a stage? It is, and it is a cognitive milestone rather than a moral one.
- Anything about the car seat — this is the age the harness-to-booster question starts and it is usually answered too early.
Where this comes from
Schedules vary by practice and by country, and yours may cover more or less than this. It is a companion for the appointment, not a substitute for it — the person in the room can see your child, and this page can't.