Monitoring growth
Checking changes in weight, height and, depending on age, head circumference using appropriate growth charts.
Prevention and overall healthChildren’s health
Pediatric health assessment: growth, development and prevention
Growing up healthy is about much more than height and weight.
From birth to the school years, every child goes through important stages of development. A pediatric health assessment makes it possible to evaluate the child’s overall health, follow their progress and address the parents’ concerns.
At the Clinique IPS du Palais in Saint-Hyacinthe, we aim to support families through an approach based on prevention, listening and follow-up adapted to each child’s age and needs.
1. Definition
What is a pediatric health assessment?
The pediatric health assessment is a preventive consultation to review the child’s physical health, growth, development and general well-being.
Unlike a consultation for a one-time illness, it does not aim solely to identify or treat a symptom. It also makes it possible to evaluate different aspects of health, answer parents’ questions and determine whether monitoring or further assessment is needed.
This type of follow-up is based, among other things, on the principles of the Rourke Baby Record, a Canadian prevention tool for children from birth to five years of age.12
Depending on age and the situation, the assessment may include:
- evaluation of growth and nutritional status;
- monitoring of motor, cognitive, language and social development;
- an age-appropriate physical examination;
- a discussion about sleep, nutrition and lifestyle habits;
- checking vaccination status and prevention needs;
- identifying potential difficulties and referring to appropriate resources.
2. Prevention
Why a health assessment even if your child is well?
A child may seem perfectly healthy while having prevention or follow-up needs that are worth addressing. The health assessment offers an opportunity to review their overall development, without waiting for an illness to appear.
Monitoring development
Making sure that the various skills are progressing consistently with the child’s age, taking into account their individual pace.
Promoting prevention
Addressing vaccines, safety, oral health, physical activity and healthy habits.
Supporting parents
Discussing concerns and getting personalized recommendations on sleep, nutrition or behaviour.
3. Assessment
Physical growth
Growth is an important indicator of a child’s health.
What matters is not just a single measurement, but above all how growth changes over time.
An unusual variation may warrant a more thorough assessment, without necessarily meaning that an illness is present.
During the assessment, the professional may measure and analyze:
- weight;
- height or length;
- head circumference in young children;
- body mass index when relevant for age;
- changes in measurements on the growth charts.
Development
Motor, cognitive and language development
Children gradually develop skills in several areas.
| Area | Examples of what is observed |
|---|---|
| Gross motor skills | Head control, sitting, walking, running, balance |
| Fine motor skills | Grasping, handling objects, drawing |
| Language | Understanding, communication, learning words and sentences |
| Cognition | Play, exploration, learning, problem solving |
| Social development | Interactions, shared play, relationships and adaptation |
| Independence | Eating, dressing, toilet training and routines |
Every child develops at their own pace. However, a persistent delay, significant parental concern or the loss of a skill already acquired warrants an assessment.
In Quebec, the public Agir tôt program can support children under 7 years of age who show signs of developmental difficulties. Parents who have concerns can contact their CLSC; services are free and offered on a voluntary basis.4
The test
The physical examination
The examination is adapted to the child’s age and to the findings gathered during the consultation.
Depending on the child’s age, history and needs, the examination may cover:
- the heart and lungs;
- the abdomen;
- the skin;
- the ears, eyes and mouth;
- the musculoskeletal system, posture and mobility;
- reflexes, muscle tone and certain neurological elements;
- other relevant systems depending on the clinical context.
4. Stages
The main stages of pediatric follow-up
From birth to 12 months
First skills
This period is characterized by rapid growth and many developmental milestones. Health assessments cover, among other things, feeding, growth, safe sleep, motor skills, early interactions and vaccination.
From 1 to 3 years
Exploration and language
The child becomes more independent, moves around more and develops communication skills. The health assessment makes it possible to address language, social interactions, nutrition, sleep, behaviours and motor skills.
From 3 to 5 years
Getting ready for school
This stage brings progress in language, social skills, motor skills and independence. Health assessments may address, among other things, communication, behaviour, attention, vision, hearing and readiness to start school.
From 6 years on
Health during the school years
Follow-up shifts toward growth, lifestyle habits, psychological well-being, school functioning and prevention. Any learning, sleep or behavioural difficulties can be discussed and assessed as needed.
The Rourke (0 to 5 years) and Greig (6 to 17 years) tools provide structured guidelines for preventive consultations.135
5. Lifestyle habits
Nutrition, sleep and lifestyle habits: essential elements
The pediatric health assessment is not limited to the physical examination. It is also an ideal time to discuss the child’s daily life.
Diet and nutrition
The assessment takes into account age, type of feeding, the introduction of solid foods, family habits and any feeding difficulties. Preventing deficiencies and developing a healthy relationship with food are among the possible topics.
Sleep
Sleep needs and habits change with age. The professional can discuss routines, night wakings, sleep duration and parental concerns.
Physical activity and screens
Active play, age-appropriate activities and the place of screens in family life can be addressed in order to promote balanced habits.
Emotional and family health
A child’s development also depends on their relational environment. Adjustment difficulties, behavioural concerns and parents’ well-being may be part of the assessment.
6. Vaccination
Vaccination and disease prevention
Vaccination is one of the main preventive measures in pediatrics.
During an assessment, the health professional can check the vaccination record, identify any delays and direct the family to the appropriate vaccination resources, with reference to the Quebec Immunization Schedule.6
Key point: a pediatric health assessment does not automatically mean that a vaccine will be given during the consultation. Vaccination arrangements must be confirmed with the clinic or the relevant vaccination services.
Preventive follow-up may also include advice about:
- injury prevention;
- car safety;
- choking risks;
- oral health;
- exposure to tobacco.
7. Without waiting
When to seek care without waiting for the next assessment?
Some situations warrant a clinical consultation before the next preventive appointment.
However, a preventive assessment does not replace an urgent consultation.
These include:
- stalled growth or an unusual change in growth;
- a concern about language or motor development;
- significant or persistent feeding difficulties;
- sleep problems that have a notable impact on the child or their family;
- loss of previously acquired skills;
- persistent behavioural or emotional difficulties;
- new or prolonged physical symptoms.
When to get help quickly?
According to the Government of Quebec, you need to go to the emergency department if, among other situations, a baby under 3 months old has a rectal temperature of 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) or higher and has not been vaccinated in the last 48 hours, or if the child is breathing faster or with more difficulty, shows signs of moderate to severe dehydration, or seems listless and less alert.7
For advice from a nurse, contact Info-Santé 811, option 1.7 In case of severe distress, call 911.
8. At the clinic
How does a pediatric assessment take place at the Clinique IPS du Palais?
The pediatric health assessment is part of a comprehensive approach to the child’s health. The consultation allows a nurse practitioner to gather the parents’ concerns, assess the relevant aspects of the child’s health and propose appropriate interventions or follow-up.
For children: the comic “Clara and my health check-up” (in French) tells the story of this visit in simple words.
- 1
Discussion with the parents
Medical history, birth, past growth, lifestyle habits and current concerns.
- 2
Growth assessment
Appropriate measurements and interpretation of how they change over time.
- 3
Developmental monitoring
Exploration of milestones, behaviour and daily functioning according to age.
- 4
Targeted or complete physical examination
Depending on age, needs and clinical observations.
- 5
Recommendations and follow-up plan
Preventive advice, additional tests if indicated, follow-up or referral to other professionals as needed.
The goal is to offer families a structured and reassuring time for discussion, in which their questions are taken into account.
9. Preparation
How to prepare for the appointment?
It can be helpful to prepare a list of questions about feeding, sleep, behaviour or development.
If concerns have been raised at daycare or school, written observations can help the health professional better understand the situation.
The assessment should make it possible to review the child’s needs, without pressure to perform or systematic comparison with other children.
To make the assessment easier, bring:
- the vaccination record;
- the health record booklet;
- relevant previous medical reports;
- your list of questions;
- written observations from daycare or school, if applicable.
Supporting your child every step of the way
Because every stage of their development matters. Growth, learning, nutrition and emotional well-being are all part of your child’s health.
The Clinique IPS du Palais, in Saint-Hyacinthe, offers an approach that is attentive to families’ concerns to support them with their children’s health and development.
10. Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about the pediatric assessment
My child seems healthy. Do they really need a health assessment?
Preventive consultations can be relevant even when there are no symptoms. They make it possible to monitor growth, development and prevention needs.
How often should a pediatric health assessment be scheduled?
Frequency varies depending on age, history and needs. Consultations are generally closer together during early childhood. The schedule can be individualized by the professional.
Does a pediatric health assessment automatically include a blood test?
No. Laboratory tests are not routine. Their relevance depends on the clinical history, the examination and risk factors.
Can an NP perform a pediatric health assessment?
Yes. An NP practising within their scope of practice and with the appropriate skills can perform pediatric assessments and provide follow-up adapted to the clinical situation.
My child does not have a family doctor. Can they be seen?
Not having a family doctor does not prevent you from requesting a consultation at a private clinic. However, the options for a health assessment and long-term follow-up depend on the services actually offered and their availability.
What happens if a developmental difficulty is suspected?
A further assessment and a referral to the appropriate professionals or services may be offered. In Quebec, the Agir tôt program is one public resource for children under 7 years of age.
Can a health assessment diagnose ADHD or autism spectrum disorder?
A general health assessment can help identify certain concerns, but it is not automatically a complete diagnostic evaluation. A specific process may be recommended depending on the observations.
Concerns about attention in a child aged 8 or older? See our page on ADHD assessment.
Sources
- Canadian Paediatric Society. Rourke Baby Record : 2024 Edition. Updated November 8, 2024, accessed October 8, 2026. cps.ca
- Rowan-Legg A, Li P, Kwok B, Rourke L, Leduc D, Rourke J, Bayoumi I. 2024 edition of the Rourke Baby Record. Canadian Family Physician, 2025;71(9):553-561. doi:10.46747/cfp.7109553. cfp.ca
- Greig AA, Constantin E, LeBlanc CMA, Riverin B, Li PTS, Cummings C; Canadian Paediatric Society, Community Paediatrics Committee. An update to the Greig Health Record: Preventive health care visits for children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years – Technical report. June 6, 2016, reaffirmed March 1, 2022, accessed October 8, 2026. cps.ca
- Government of Quebec. Programme Agir tôt. Updated February 12, 2026, accessed October 8, 2026. quebec.ca
- Rourke Baby Record. Téléchargements — Relevé français 2024 (guides and forms by age). Accessed October 8, 2026. rourkebabyrecord.ca
- Government of Quebec. Versions accessibles des calendriers de vaccination par groupes d’âge. Updated July 20, 2026, accessed October 8, 2026. quebec.ca
- Government of Quebec. Fièvre chez l’enfant. Updated August 8, 2024, accessed October 8, 2026. quebec.ca
This page is provided for information purposes and does not replace an assessment by a health professional. Published October 8, 2026.