What happens at my three and a half year maternal and child health visit?
When your child turns three-and-a-half, it is time for their final key age and stage appointment with your maternal and child health nurse.
At this visit, your child's growth, health and development will be reviewed and your nurse will discuss their kindergarten enrolment. They will be given a vision screening to check their clarity of vision, using the Melbourne Initial Screening Test (MIST).
You will also be asked to answer My Health, Learning and Development – green book. It is under the Parents' Evaluation of Development Status (PEDS) section. Try to complete these questions before your visit.
This visit will focus on:
Remember, you and your nurse can talk about other issues or concerns if they arise.
Don't forget your 'green book'
When your child was born, you should have received a copy of My Health, Learning and Development – green book. This book belongs to you and your child and is full of information about early child development, and services and support.
Make sure you take your green book with you each time you see your nurse so you can jot down any issues, and record information on your child's growth and development.
If you don't have a green book, let your nurse know.
What is my child doing at this key age and stage?
At this key age and stage, your child is becoming more independent and adventurous. They love to be involved with everyday activities like cooking and shopping.
They might be:
- running, climbing stairs
- drawing, and cutting with scissors
- asking lots of questions
- playing with other children and learning how to share
- understanding their own and other people's feelings.
What to tell your nurse
Please tell the nurse if your child is:
- NOT talking clearly
- NOT able to talk in sentences
- NOT coming to you for affection or comfort
- NOT playing 'imaginary' games
- NOT playing with other children
- NOT drawing.
Activity ideas for this key age and stage
Try some of these ideas to help your child learn and develop:
- play games that involve sharing and taking turns
- let them help with the cooking, shopping or gardening
- read with them and ask questions about the story
- encourage them to draw and talk about their picture
- give them lots of outdoor playtime with plenty of running, tumbling and rolling.
Where to get help
.
Content Partner
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Last updated:
October 2019
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health & Human Services shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.