Monmouth County's Ask the Doctor

Growth During the PRESCHOOL YEARS The preschool years are an important time for developing healthy habits for life. From the ages of 2 to 5, children’s bodies grow and develop in ways that affect the way they think, eat, and behave. There is a wide range of normal growth. Between the ages of 2 and 5, the average child grows about 2½ inches, and gains 4 to 5 pounds each year - but every child is different. You and your preschooler's doctor are partners in maintaining your child's health, so discuss your child’s growth with them. Growth charts are a good way to monitor your child's growth and health. Visit your child’s doctor regularly. As part of the visit, your doctor will weigh and measure your child and plot their information on a growth chart. Over time, the curve of the growth chart will show your child's growth pattern and whether their height and weight are changing at the right rate.

K I D S ’ H E A L T H & C A M P

Your doctor will monitor the growth chart to be sure your child follows the same curve over time and that their growth pattern stays on track. Your preschooler's growth is an important sign of good health and nutrition. To see how your child compares to other children their age and sex visit www.cdc.com. The Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website provides more information about growth charts.

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ASK THE DOCTOR

SUMMER 2020