Child growth charts: height, weight and yearly records

Explore the overview and year detail in KidCurve

For a child currently aged 2–20, the overview spans ages 2–20 and scrolls horizontally. It shows up to four child records per age year. Tap a recorded point to open that age year and see all its original records with their connecting line.

Small dots on a reference curve show sampled reference values: once per whole year in the overview and monthly in year detail where the standard supports that age. Larger child dots are actual parent-entered measurements. A reference dot is not an extra measurement of your child.

Choose a regional growth reference

In Family, open the child’s profile and choose the region under Growth Standard. Available references depend on the child’s age and reference sex as well as the confirmed standard. Changing the reference does not change saved measurements.

When no supported reference is available, KidCurve shows the original trend without a percentile. Reference curves stop at their supported ages; the app does not extend them to predict future height. Use the record list for historical measurements outside the overview range.

Start with consistent measurements

Use the same units each time and, where practical, measure at a similar time of day. Record whether the number came from a home measurement or a clinician visit. For height, a child should stand naturally without shoes; for weight, use a dependable scale and avoid treating a single number as a verdict. A short note about illness, a growth spurt, new activity, or a changed routine may make a later chart easier to understand.

The value of a chart comes from repeated points, not from chasing a particular line. Children grow at different tempos. A point that looks unusual may be a measuring difference, a temporary change, or a reason to recheck. It is not a reason for an app to label a child or make a promise about what will happen next.

Read the curve as context

Reference curves show how measurements are distributed in a reference population. They are context, not a scorecard. A family can use them to notice whether measurements broadly follow the child’s own pattern, but a chart should never become a reason for shame, comparison, or pressure to change a child’s body.

If a parent notices a persistent change, a large difference between reliable measurements, or has any concern about wellbeing, the sensible next step is to remeasure carefully and ask a qualified clinician. Bring the dates and measurements. A clinician can consider the full picture; a website and an app cannot.

Make records useful at appointments

Keep the date, height, weight, unit, source, and a short optional note. A small number of careful entries is more useful than many rushed ones. Avoid copying numbers from memory after the fact when the date is uncertain. If an exported report is used, review it before sharing and choose a secure destination.

KidCurve keeps family records on the device by default. This makes it easier to use a chart as a private family record. It does not change what a chart means: the chart is educational context and does not replace a clinician’s assessment.

Keep the conversation kind

A chart can open a useful family conversation when its language stays neutral. Ask what a child notices about sleep, meals, play, school, or energy rather than asking them to explain a number. Keep reports out of places where a child may feel judged, and make clear that measurements are private family information, not a competition with siblings, classmates, or online examples.

If relatives or friends make body-size comments, a parent can redirect the conversation toward what the child enjoys and how they feel. This approach protects the purpose of a record: to preserve accurate information and support a calm discussion when professional advice is needed.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

WHO Child Growth Standards

Last updated: 2026-09-11 · Source checked: 2026-08-25

Written for KidCurve by Deng Jun; educational information only. About KidCurve

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