Health Checks & Positive Choices

• Vision & Hearing

  When your child starts school, they will be seen by the school screening team to check their vision and hearing. Checking their vision and hearing is important. Finding any problems early means your child’s learning and development can be supported.

  The screening happens at school and only takes a few minutes.

  To find out about signs that may mean your child has a hearing difficulty visit NHS Hearing.

  To find out about signs that may mean your child has a vision difficulty visit NHS Eye Tests.

  Some of your family’s health checks may have been postponed because of the COVID-19 crisis. Services are catching up with routine appointments. You don’t need to wait to hear from a service if you have a worry, you can contact them and see how they are able to help.

  If you have any concerns about your child’s vision or hearing it is important to get these checked via the opticians or your GP. You can also call Just One Number 0300 300 123 to discuss your worries.

• Checking Your Child's Growth

  In Norfolk children are weighed and measured at school in Reception and Year 6 as part of the National Child Measurement Programme.

  You can weigh and measure your child at home. Find out how to do this accurately using this self-weigh guide for children.

  If you have any concerns about your child’s growth you can call Just One Number and a health professional will be able to discuss this with you.

• Eat Better

  The foods we choose for ourselves, and our children can make a big difference to how healthy we are physically and mentally.

  Some food and drinks are more likely to be seen as a ‘treat’ and they often contain a lot of sugars, salt and saturated fats. This is ok occasionally but if it is happening every day, it can make it harder to change and is likely to lead to low energy levels and weight gain. 

  Find out more about eating better

• Move More

  Sometimes, the less we move the less we feel like moving - getting out and about every day when you can will help emotional and physical health, even if it's just 10 minutes at a time.

  Find out more about move more as a family

• Sleep

  Getting enough rest is important for everyone. We need to get enough sleep for our mental and physical health.

  It is normal for everyone, grown-ups and children, to have times when getting to sleep or staying asleep is harder. This can be for any number of reasons. 

  Find out more about children’s sleep

• School Routines

  Children and grown-ups all benefit from structure and knowing what to expect from their day. Usually work, school and nursery help with this.

  Getting up and going to bed and eating at regular times, help children feel more able to cope with other changes that might be happening.

• Building Resilience

  Resilience gives us the inner strength to believe we can get through hard times. We can learn how to be more resilient. This is useful for the challenges that life will sometimes bring to everyone.

  Maybe you feel you and your family would benefit from becoming more resilient.

  Find out more about building resilience

• Confidence and Self-Esteem

  Some children and young people have more confidence and self-esteem than others.

  Find out more about self-confidence and self-esteem

• Stress

  Family life can be stressful at times.

  It is important to take care of yourself when dealing with big challenges. You and your children will all benefit when you find ways to manage your stress healthily.

  Find out more about coping with stress

• Stopping Smoking

  Stopping smoking is one of the most positive steps you can take for the health of you and your family.

  • It will reduce the risks of illnesses
  • It will save you money.
  • It will set a good example for your children (children of smokers are more likely to smoke themselves).

  Smokefree Norfolk offer support and advice to help you to quit smoking.