• Shots for Safety (Immunizations)
• Developing Good a Good Relationship with a Doctor or Nurse

Immunizations are an important part of good health care. You should have a form that keeps track of your child’s immunizations. By now your child should have received hepatitis B, Dtap, HIB, polio, MMR, and hepatitis A rotovirus, varicella, and pneumococcus. This is an "alphabet soup" of names that often doe not make sense. You should not worry about the names…just make sure the recommended "alphabet" is the same as your child received. If not, or if you do not have a form to keep track of your shots, you should contact your doctor or nurse. Between the ages of 4-6 your child should also receive another Dtap, polio, varicella, and MMR immunization.

By now you have a relationship with a doctor or nurse. A good doctor or nurse will respect and understand your language and culture, and be available when you have needs (by phone or face-to-face). If your doctor or nurse can not be available, they should tell you who will be available for you and your child.

• To get the most out of every visit you should:
• Make sure you understand the purpose of the visit and bring along any records or forms you will need.
• Think about your child’s progress since the last visit.
• Make a list of questions or concerns.
• Encourage your child to ask questions.
• Ask about what you can do to make sure your child’s health and development is as good as possible.

Typical issues for a two year old

• Changes in sleep and eating habits?
• Toilet training, responding to limits, "tantrums", curiosity about body parts?
• Comparisons to "normal" kids his or her age ( see What is normal for my child?)

Typical issues for a five year old

• How does the child get along with other children?
• Ask the child share "news" or ask about worries
• Readiness for school

Typical issues for an eight year old

• Describe issues in performance at school and at home
• Ask your child if he or she is bothered by any problems

We have tried to make the How's Your Health error-free. However, those involved in its preparation can not warrant that all of the information is accurate and complete. When you use How's Your Health as a guide for your health and medical care, be sure to discuss any questions about it with your doctor, nurse, or other health care worker.