Nutrition
Your child’s appetite may be increasing; shoot for 4-5 fruit or vegetable servings each day. Allow your child to help plan family meals, teaching them what makes a nutritious meal. Provide 24-32 oz of dairy each day. Offer water to drink, limiting soda and juice.
In the pre- and adolescent growth phase, your child will build approximately one half of their lifetime bone mass! There daily requirement of calcium in this age group is 1300mg and 600 IU of Vitamin D. The most beneficial source of calcium for bone building is found in foods, with dairy topping that list. Green veggies like broccoli and spinach are great sources of calcium also. Calcium/Vitamin D supplements are just okay, they pale in comparison to food source calcium's bone building ability.
Stooling and Voiding
If your child is still wet at night, be patient this generally will improve over time.
Stooling patterns vary widely from once every three days to three times a day. Stool shouldn’t plug the toilet.
Oral Health
Your child should be brushing twice a day. Be sure they are brushing well by checking after they brush. Fluoride should either be in your water or given as a prescription supplement. See a dentist twice a year.
Sleep
Eight to ten hours of sleep is recommended. Sleep cycles can be disrupted when a television or video system are in a child’s room.
Safety
Use bike helmets and seat belts. Ensure water safety. Use sunscreen. Continue to supervise your child’s activity. Know their friends. Enforce playing sports safely. Trampolines are dangerous.
Maintain a smoke free environment, while continuing to give your child a negative message about tobacco use. Discuss drugs and alcohol.
Lock up medicines, guns and matches.
Reinforce fire safety. Have an emergency escape plan for your family, practicing it with family fire drills. Check the function of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors frequently. Remind your child about 911.
Activities
Praise and encourage talking and expression of feelings. Encourage reading while limiting screen time. Make room for family activities and trips.
Reinforce personal hygiene and responsibility around the home such as daily chores.
Ask about friends. Know your child’s moods; are they sad a lot or lack interest in fun activities?
Use teachable moments to discuss pubertal changes and questions about sex.
Behavior
Reinforce limits and provide appropriate consequences. Never hit your child. Listen to their side. Encourage self discipline. Teach right from wrong and respect for authority and family rules.
School
Be actively involved with your child’s educational process. Provide a safe after school environment. Provide rules for being home alone while reinforcing stranger safety.
illness
Signs of illness may include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, lethargy, rash, or cough. If you are concerned about your child or these symptoms, feel free to call our office for advice or an appointment.
(603) 437-1003
We are located in Building E at 25 Buttrick Road in Londonderry, NH 03053. Buttrick Road is off Mammoth Road (Route 128) just north of the intersection of Routes 128 and 102. From the east and west, take Route 102 turning north onto Route 128. Two tenths of a mile is Buttrick road, turn right, travel half a mile passing the Elliot Urgent Care on the left and Buttrick Road is on the right.
From the north and south, take Interstae 93 to exit 4. Take Route 102 west to Route 128. Follow above directions to Buttrick Road. Click here for a map.