Texas Health and Human Services / Texas Health Steps
Interactive Anticipatory Guidance Provider Guide
Middle Childhood icon

6-Year Checkup

  • Family Well-Being
    • Keep a usual family routine
    • Advocate with teacher for child facing school difficulties or bullying
  • Keeping Child Safe
    • Choose safe, quality after-school care
    • Place child in a belt-positioning booster seat in back seat of car only if child has outgrown the height and weight limit of forward-facing car seat with harness
    • Supervise when child is in or near water, even if child knows how to swim
    • Ensure home is safe from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning hazards
    • Develop family plan for exiting house in a fire and establish meeting place after exit
    • Assess home for lead exposure
    • Lock up guns
    • Teach child how to answer the door and telephone
    • Teach self-safety including stranger danger and personal privacy
    • Teach safety rules for running after balls, crossing street, riding bicycle and boarding bus
    • Require always wearing protective gear during sports
    • Require wearing a helmet when child uses bicycle, skates or other mobility equipment
  • Healthy Eating
    • Provide three nutritious meals and two snacks a day
    • Limit sweets and high-fat foods
    • Emphasize the importance of breakfast
    • Provide five servings of fruits and vegetables daily
    • Limit juice and ensure adequate calcium
  • Regular Care and Routines
    • Assist with brushing teeth with soft toothbrush two times a day and flossing daily
    • Establish ongoing care with dental provider
    • Establish a consistent bedtime routine
    • Encourage outdoor play for one hour a day
  • Healthy Development
    • Establish consistent limits, rules and consequences
    • Establish daily chores to develop sense of accomplishment and self-confidence
    • Limit TV and screen time to one to two hours a day
    • Show affection and praise for good behaviors
    • Encourage constructive conflict resolution and demonstrate at home
    • Read a story and discuss books daily
    • Discuss school activities daily