Learn ways to support your child’s overall wellness in the early years.
In the early years, the brain is developing faster than at any other time in life. All children develop and grow differently, but there are certain milestones that help families know whether their child is on track or if they need early intervention and supports to help with their development. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents and caregivers bring their children in for 11 routine well-child visits between birth and 2 1⁄2 years old. When children get their well visits, they do better.
How can parents make the most out of well-child visits?
Come with questions — big or small. Bring up anything you’ve noticed: sleep struggles, tantrums, feeding challenges, new milestones, worries about development or anything else that feels concerning. These visits are not just check-ups, they are also coaching sessions. Parents can also share what’s going well at home. When pediatricians understand a family’s routines, culture and strengths, they can tailor guidance so it truly resonates.
What are some simple ways parents can support their child’s development and well-being at home?
Small, everyday moments matter most. Talk to your child throughout the day, even before they can talk back. Play together — follow their lead, get on the floor and let their natural curiosity guide you. Create predictable routines for meals, sleep and transitions. Offer choices, when possible, to build confidence and independence. And most importantly, connect with your child at any moment you can. Warm, responsive interactions are the strongest drivers of healthy development for young children.
If there’s one message parents can take away about supporting their child’s overall wellness, what would it be?
Your relationship with your child is the most powerful medicine and the most important learning environment they will ever have. When you connect, respond and spend time together, you are building their brain, their confidence and lifelong health.
What encouragement is there for parents who may feel overwhelmed or unsure if they’re doing enough?
Every parent feels that way at times. What matters most is not perfection, it’s presence and consistency. Your child doesn’t need elaborate activities or flawless routines. They need you: your voice, your comfort, your attention, your love. Small moments of connection add up. You are doing more than you realize and you are exactly the parent your child needs.
Young children experience the world first through their relationship with their parent or caregiver, so supporting that relationship is essential to supporting the child. When we strengthen that bond, we strengthen the child’s emotional regulation, resilience and sense of safety.
Dr. Quynh Kieu has practiced pediatrics in Orange County for 46 years and is a long-time leader in the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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