Maternal and child health – visit 9 - two year visit

What happens at my two year maternal and child health visit?

At this visit, your toddler's growth, health and development will be reviewed and kindergarten enrolment will be discussed. 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:

• addressing the PEDS questions in your green book
• helping your child to eat healthy food
• taking care of your child's teeth
• being sun smart (learning how to protect your child from the sun) 
• how play helps learning and development
• immunisations
• how to prevent injuries 
• kindergarten enrolment
• family relationships and wellbeing
• social communication

Remember, you and your nurse can talk about other issues or concerns if they arise. 

Tip sheets for this visit

• What is early start kindergarten? Department of Education and Training, Victoria
• ‘Three Year Old Kindergarten’ – Department Of Education And Training, Victoria

What is my toddler doing at this key age and stage?

At this key age and stage, your child is learning to become independent. They love to share their interests and enjoyment with family, friends and people in the community.

They might be:

• Copying you – like sweeping the floor
• Dressing up or pretending
• Beginning to use two to three word sentences
• Having tantrums to express frustration or strong emotions
• Running.

What to tell your nurse

Please tell the nurse if your toddler is: 

• NOT coming to you for affection or comfort
• NOT understanding
• NOT putting any words together
• NOT enjoying pretend play
• NOT running.

Activity ideas for this key age and stage

Try some of these ideas to help your toddler learn and develop:

• Talk about everyday things
• Play outside and talk to them about what they are doing 
• Take them to the local park, library or playgroup
• Sing and dance with them
• Encourage them to turn the pages of books and talk to them about what they see.

How often should I visit?

You will be asked to see your maternal and child health nurse at 10 key ages and stages in your child’s health, learning and development. These include:

• following discharge from hospital (home visit)
• two weeks
• four weeks
• eight weeks
• four months
• eight months
• one year
• 18 months
• two years
• three and a half years.

Families can access the service at other times by telephone or through a centre visit. Most centres offer a range of times when families can access the service. They typically operate through scheduled appointments, open consultation sessions and some after-hours appointments.

Return to the Maternal and child health services main page

Where to get help

• Your local maternal and child health service
• Your GP (doctor)
• Your local council early childhood and family services
• Maternal and Child Health Line Tel: 13 22 29 – available 24 hours a day for the cost of a local call throughout Victoria
• Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) Tel. 03 9419 3000
• Parentline Tel. 13 22 89
• Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) Tel.131 450 – available (24 hours, 7 days a week) for callers who speak other languages. 
• National Relay Service (24 hours a day, every day) – Speak and listen Tel: 1300 555 727, TTY Tel: 133 677, SMS relay Tel: 0423 677 767. Captioned, internet and video relay calls are also available through this service.