Frequently Asked Questions

Some parents worry about their child's growth and development. It is important to know that most children who are short or delayed in development are healthy and normal.  For example, shorter parents tend to have shorter children and not all children develop at the same rate.

Q    What can I do to ensure that my child grows and develops normally?
A    You can do many things to help ensure that your child grows and develops normally. The following are critical to children’s overall health and wellbeing:

Proper nutrition: A balanced diet that will help children reach their full growth potential.
Adequate exercise: Because obesity is a problem for many children, parents are responsible to make sure that their children exercise regularly (link to article by Joan Murphy on Activity /health ) and eat a healthy diet. Walking, running, jumping, football, skipping, trampolining, cycling, hiking, skating, or any enjoyable activity that will motivate children to get moving, will promote good health and fitness and help them maintain a healthy weight, keep fit and flexible and enjoy being happily occupied.
Enough rest: Sleep patterns vary by age and individual child, but most children need an average of 10 to 12 hours of sleep per night. Sleep gives growing bodies the rest they need to continue growing properly.
During adolescence and puberty you might find the following article of value
Puberty and Adolescence
If you have concerns, consult your PHN/GP or Paediatrician who can thoroughly evaluate your child’s growth and discuss your concerns in detail.

Further Reading: