- Who it’s for
- Children and teens — call to confirm the ages we see
- Visit length
- Varies — ask when booking
- What to bring
- Vaccine record, medicine list, your questions and any school or sports forms
- Insurance
- Most visits billed to insurance — call to confirm your plan
Why well-child visits matter
Checkups aren’t only for when your child is sick. At a well-child visit, the doctor checks growth and development, looks for problems early and talks with you about topics such as sleep, safety, nutrition and school.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Bright Futures schedule recommends frequent visits in the first years of life, then a checkup every year from age 3 through 21. Seeing the same family doctor over the years means your child’s history is already known — and parents and siblings can be seen in the same Torrance office.
What happens at a checkup
- Growth: height, weight and body mass index, tracked on a growth chart over time.
- Development: milestones, behavior, learning and how your child is doing at school.
- Physical exam: heart, lungs, ears, belly, skin and more, depending on your child’s age.
- Screenings: some visits include checks such as vision or hearing tests.
- Your questions: write them down ahead of time so nothing is missed.
Vaccines
National vaccine guidance for children has been changing, and California publishes its own recommendations. Bring your child’s vaccine record to every visit. Ask Dr. Shin which vaccines your child needs, and see the California Department of Public Health and CDC for current schedules.
School, camp and sports forms
A sports physical checks whether it’s medically safe for your child to start a sport or a new season. It includes a health history and an exam focused on the heart, lungs, bones and joints. A sports physical doesn’t replace a regular checkup. If your child needs a school, camp or sports form completed, please ask us when you book and bring the form with you.
Before and during the visit
Book
Request an appointment online or call (310) 326-2161. Mention any forms you’d like to ask about.
Gather
Bring your child’s vaccine record, medicines and a short list of questions or concerns.
Visit
Your child is measured and examined, and Dr. Shin talks with you and your child about health and habits.
Next steps
You’ll talk about any follow-up and when the next checkup is due.
When your child needs care sooner
If your child is sick but it isn’t an emergency, call our office first. If your child can’t be seen soon enough, an urgent care clinic can treat problems such as colds, earaches, sore throats, minor cuts and sprains.
Common questions
How often does my child need a checkup?
The AAP recommends many visits in the first two and a half years, then a well-child checkup every year from age 3 through 21. Your child may need extra visits for health concerns, and you can call any time you’re worried about your child’s health, growth or development.
How long does a sports physical usually take?
It depends on your child’s health history and the form required, so ask about timing when you book. A sports physical includes a health history and an exam of the heart, lungs, bones and joints. Filling out the history part of the form before the visit can help things go smoothly.
Is a sports physical the same as a well-child checkup?
No. A sports physical focuses on whether it’s safe to play a sport. A well-child checkup looks more broadly at growth, development, vaccines and overall health. MedlinePlus notes that sports physicals don’t take the place of regular checkups, so plan for both.
Which vaccines does my child need?
Ask Dr. Shin at your child’s visit. The answer depends on your child’s age, health and vaccine history, and national guidance has been changing. Bring the vaccine record with you, and see the California Department of Public Health and CDC links on this page for current schedules.
Can the whole family see the same doctor?
Yes. Family medicine is built around caring for people of all ages, so parents, children and grandparents can be seen in one practice, and your doctor gets to know your family’s health history. Please call (310) 326-2161 to confirm the ages we currently see before booking a young child.
Important information
- Call 911 if your child is choking, has stopped breathing or is turning blue, has a head injury with passing out or vomiting, has a seizure lasting 3 to 5 minutes, or has bleeding that won’t stop. Go to the emergency room for trouble breathing, a severe allergic reaction, or a high fever with a stiff neck.
Sources & further reading
- AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits (opens in a new tab) — American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Preventive Care/Periodicity Schedule (Bright Futures) (opens in a new tab) — American Academy of Pediatrics
- Well-child visits (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Sports physical (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- When to use the emergency room - child (opens in a new tab) — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- CDPH Immunization Recommendations Under Assembly Bill 144 (opens in a new tab) — California Department of Public Health
- Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age (opens in a new tab) — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Last updated October 2026. This page is educational and does not replace a visit with a clinician.
