Staying Healthy
• Eattogetheroftenasafamily.
• Starteverydaywithbreakfast.
• Buyfat-freemilkandlow-fatdairyfoods,and
encourage3servingseachday.
• Limitsoftdrinks,juice,candy,chips,and
high-fatfood.
• Include5servingsofvegetablesandfruitsat
mealsandforsnacksdaily.
• LimitTVandcomputertimeto2hoursaday.
• DonothaveaTVorcomputerinyourchild’s
bedroom.
• Encourageyourchildtoplayactivelyforat
least1hourdaily.
Safety
• Yourchildshouldalwaysrideinthebackseat
anduseaboosterseatuntilthevehicle’slap
andshoulderbeltt.
• Teachyourchildtoswimandwatchherin
thewater.
• Usesunscreenwhenoutside.
• Provideagood-ttinghelmetandsafetygear
forbiking,skating,in-lineskating,skiing,
snowboarding,andhorsebackriding.
• Keepyourhouseandcarssmokefree.
• Neverhaveaguninthehome.Ifyoumust
haveagun,storeitunloadedandlocked
withtheammunitionlockedseparatelyfrom
thegun.
• Watchyourchild’scomputeruse.
• Knowwhoshetalkstoonline.
• Installasafetylter.
• Knowyourchild’sfriendsandtheirfamilies.
• Teachyourchildplansforemergenciessuch
asare.
• Teachyourchildhowandwhentodial911.
• Teachyourchildhowtobesafewithother
adults.
• Nooneshouldaskforasecrettobekept
fromparents.
• Nooneshouldasktoseeprivateparts.
• Noadultshouldaskforhelpwithhis
privateparts.
Your Growing Child
• Giveyourchildchorestodoandexpectthem
tobedone.
• Hug,praise,andtakeprideinyourchildfor
goodbehavioranddoingwellinschool.
• Beagoodrolemodel.
• Don’thitorallowotherstohit.
• Helpyourchildtodothingsforhimself.
• Teachyourchildtohelpothers.
• Discussrulesandconsequenceswithyour
child.
• Beawareofpubertyandbodychangesin
yourchild.
• Answeryourchild’squestionssimply.
• Talkaboutwhatworriesyourchild.
School
• Attendback-to-schoolnight,parent-teacher
events,andasmanyotherschooleventsas
possible.
• Talkwithyourchildandchild’steacherabout
bullies.
• Talktoyourchild’steacherifyouthinkyour
childmightneedextrahelportutoring.
• Yourchild’steachercanhelpwithevaluations
forspecialhelp,ifyourchildisnotdoingwell.
Healthy Teeth
• Helpyourchildbrushteethtwiceaday.
• Afterbreakfast
• Beforebed
• Useapea-sizedamountoftoothpastewith
uoride.
• Helpyourchildossherteethonceaday.
• Yourchildshouldvisitthedentistatleast
twiceayear.
• Encourageyourchildtoalwayswearamouth
guardtoprotectteethwhileplayingsports.
PoisonHelp:1-800-222-1222
Childsafetyseatinspection:
1-866-SEATCHECK;seatcheck.org
DEVELOPMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH
SCHOOLORAL HEALTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
PAGE 1 OF 1
The recommendations in this publication do not indicate an
exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical
care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances,
may be appropriate. Original document included as part of
Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit. Copyright © 2010
American Academy of Pediatrics. All Rights Reserved. The
American Academy of Pediatrics does not review or endorse
any modifications made to this document and in no event shall
the AAP be liable for any such changes.
Bright Futures Parent Handout
7 and 8 Year Visits
Here are some suggestions from Bright Futures experts that may be of value to your family.