Attention! Pre-School Health Checks Should Not Be Neglected

6 Recommendations Affecting School Success

The physical, emotional and mental health of school-age children has a direct impact on school performance. Pediatrics specialist Dr. Gülsen Meral states, "School failure in children should not be evaluated solely from an academic perspective. During this period, conducting health checks for our children's healthy brain and body development and treating health problems will protect them against winter illnesses and ensure balanced development of the brain and body." Dr. Gülsen Meral explained the examinations and tests that must be carried out before school entry and provided important warnings and recommendations.

Motor and Cognitive Development Assessment

In addition to routine physical growth and development monitoring, testing of motor and cognitive development before school entry is essential for children's school success. This also helps identify the dominant senses through which the child is inclined to learn, which is beneficial for academic achievement. Since some children learn predominantly through hearing while others may have visual learning skills as their strength.

Vision and Hearing Tests

Vision and hearing tests before starting school are among the essential requirements for school success. When deficiencies in hearing or vision functions go undetected, it can cause the child to lose confidence, saying "I'm a failure," "I can't do it," and to withdraw socially. Additionally, even if there are no vision problems, eye examinations should be renewed every two years.

Blood Test for Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common problems in childhood. Anemia (iron deficiency anemia) is a very important issue that affects children's intellectual development and consequently their school performance. However, its detection and treatment are equally simple. For this reason, investigating such an important problem before school entry is essential.

Mineral and Vitamin Assessment

It is of great importance to check the blood levels of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, vitamin B and zinc that are essential for proper brain function and physical development appropriate to the child's age.

Growth and Development Examination

It is necessary to determine whether there are deviations in weight and height development of children compared to their peers, discover the causes if deviations exist, and begin treatment. A general check-up examination is beneficial for healthy functioning of the brain and body.

Establishing Balanced Nutrition

Pediatrics specialist Dr. Gülsen Meral states, "One of the golden rules of school success is nutrition. Research has shown a close relationship between an early morning breakfast and school success. The balance of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in a child's diet should be appropriate for their age. Especially during adolescence, due to increased growth and the body's calcium needs, nutritional balance is important for ensuring our children have a healthy body and bone structure in the future."