Stronger summers begin with having healthy kids

Child wellness takes on heightened importance during the summer months, serving as a reminder for families to prioritize proactive healthcare and build a strong foundation for lifelong well-being.

Ensuring a child’s health goes beyond growth charts and temperature checks. It involves supporting their physical, emotional and developmental needs, at every stage.

That’s why child wellness, through comprehensive wellchild checkups, are vital opportunities to assess physical, emotional and developmental health, and to offer guidance tailored to each child’s unique needs.

“Well-child visits are so much more than a quick onceover,” said Angela Helm, family medicine physician assistant. “They’re an essential touchpoint for both families and providers, to ensure children are thriving in all aspects of their lives – body, mind and spirit.”

Annual appointments play a critical role in prevention, early detection and health education. In addition to evaluating growth and physical health, providers address concerns like sleep patterns, nutrition, mental well-being and safety habits.

Routine immunizations are also updated, to keep children protected against preventable diseases.

Scheduling well-child visits early, helps ensure children are on track with key health milestones, before the backto- school season. Whether or not a child is involved in organized sports, these visits remain an essential part of their overall healthcare journey.

Preventive care remains a central focus in pediatric health, supporting long-term wellness, through consistent monitoring and early intervention.

“Each child is unique and these visits give us the chance to partner with families, to provide personalized care and guidance,” said Helm. “From managing picky eating to discussing screen-time limits, we aim to empower parents, with actionable insights.”