The US precaution: the colourful examination
In our series on the U examinations, this time we look at the U8. The focus here: Movement, language, logic.
At the U8, the children are around four years old. As with all screenings, they are measured and weighed, there is a hearing and eye test, the immunisation record is looked at and the parents are talked to a little about how social life is going at nursery school.
And then the U8 is a nice examination because you can do a lot of active things with the children: The children have to balance, stand on one leg, they have to draw simple geometric figures and also a house and a person. (Although Doc is rather generous in his judgement here, remembering his own drawing and painting skills ...)
Then there is also a lot of linguistic development. The children look at a hidden object book together and are asked to tell a bit about what's going on. What's important is that they don't have to be able to speak everything perfectly at the age of four. They should form longer sentences, use grammar correctly as a rule and small mistakes are okay. And even if they still say "Dinderdarten" or "Sule", for example, in most cases this is no reason to get nervous at the age of four. Then you can wait and watch and give the parents a few tips.
Then the children have to complete sentences, memorise numbers and repeat nonsense words - all in all, it's a very colourful affair.
Of course, the children are also examined from head to toe and, as always, there should be time at the end to answer questions from the parents. At the U8 check-up, the focus is often on the topics of sleep and cleanliness.
Further interesting tips
Taking a temperature
Now it's getting curious. Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder told the Süddeutsche Zeitung this week that he takes his temperature every day. And he's not the only one. But is that even necessary?
Catcalling
A topic that initially looks like a social/political issue, but which is also relevant from a paediatric and adolescent medical perspective: catcalling. The doctor wasn't really aware of this topic and its importance for a long time. However, his three young adult daughters were able to help him understand.
Fontanelle
Today a topic that isn't really a topic at all: the fontanel. In other words, the gaps in the bony skull of babies. Although it has no medical significance, there are always questions about it. So here's everything you need to know about the fontanel.