Parents
As a constant presence throughout your child’s development, you are in a great position to keep a check on your child’s growth.
Normal height
There is a wide range of what is considered normal height at any given age and on top of that, the heights of a child’s biological parents play an important role in determining their expected final height. As a result, the rate at which a child is growing is often more important than a child’s current height.
Measuring your child’s height
Measuring your child’s growth at home is a good way to check that they are thriving and it can be lots of fun too!
What you will need:
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Ask your child to stand with their shoes off and feet together, with their back against a flat vertical surface such as a wall (make sure that their heels, buttocks and shoulder blades are in contact with the wall)
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Place a book vertically on top of your child’s head with the book’s spine resting against the wall
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Make a light pencil mark where the base of the book’s spine touches the wall
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Measure the distance from this mark to the floor using the metal tape measure
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Record the measurement and the date it was taken in your child’s Personal Child Health Record
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Growth that follows the appropriate growth curve in your child’s ‘Personal Child Health Record‘ is considered normal. You can plot the measurements you take at home against this chart to ensure your child is growing at the correct rate.
What to do if you have concerns
If you have any concerns at all about your child’s growth, there are a number of healthcare professionals you can speak to. You can contact your health visitor, school health nurse, practice nurse or GP – all of whom should be able to provide you with further advice.
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Last updated: April 2008
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