Is Your Little One Heading Off To Kindergarten? 4 Screenings They Should Have Before School Starts

If your child is getting ready to begin kindergarten, you've got a lot of work ahead of you. You'll need to make sure their paperwork is complete, and that they have all the supplies they'll need to get off to a good start. You'll also need to make sure they're prepared physically for the start of kindergarten. You might not realize this, but there are some health screenings that your child will need before they can head off to school. These screenings will ensure that your child is physically fit, and ready for a healthy school year. Here are four of the screenings you'll need to make sure your child has before they begin kindergarten.

Hearing Test

If your child hasn't had a hearing test performed, they'll need to have one before they begin kindergarten. This screening, such as from Eartech  Hearing &  Balance Professionals, will ensure that your child doesn't have a hearing deficit that has gone undiagnosed. You might think that you'd know if your child had a hearing problem. However, that's not always the case. Some hearing deficits can go undetected for quite some time, especially if your child has learned how to compensate for their hearing loss, such as reading your lips, or putting together sentences from the few words they've been able to hear. A hearing test will ensure that your child doesn't have a hearing deficit that could interfere with their success in school.

Vision Test

Before your child begins kindergarten, you should have their vision tested by an optometrist. They may have had the basic screening at their pediatricians office, however, a full test performed by an optometrist will give you the complete picture of your child's vision health. Once your child has had their vision tested by an optometrist, you should plan on repeat vision tests once every two years.

Dental Screening

If your child hasn't been to the dentist in a while, it's important that you schedule dental screening prior to their first day of kindergarten. Dental problems can cause serious problems for kids, especially if those dental problems lead to tooth pain. A complete dental screening prior to kindergarten will allow your dentist to identify, and repair, issues that may cause problems later.

Blood Test for Lead

if your child has never been tested for lead, now's a good time to take care of that. Exposure to lead can lead to serious health, educational, and developmental problems for your child. Talk to your pediatrician about scheduling that blood test before your child starts school.


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