Ways to Prepare Kids for Doctor Appointments
How Parents Can Take the Fear Out of Visits to the Pediatrician
All parents have endured the experience of taking their toddler or young child to see the doctor, only to suffer through tantrums and fits of crying brought about by unfounded anxiety. The problem usually centers around a child’s fear of the unknown (simply not knowing what to expect), actual bad experiences (seeing needles, getting painful shots, and ungoing scary procedures), or perhaps having heard horrific tales from others about what happened to them at the doctor’s office.
Regardless of the cause, the solution to lessening anxiety and fear surrounding a trip to the pediatrician is as easy as applying some basic tools to alter a child's negative expectations and modify his or her behavior.
Don’t Make it a Big Deal
Parents can minimize the trauma of a doctor’s office visit by minimizing the importance of the visit itself. Avoid creating a huge build-up to the visit by not mentioning it too far in advance. When addressing the prospect of a trip to the doctor, wait until the visit is near, and then, keep it simple. And, once the visit is acknowledged, offer only the most succinct assurances that the doctor is a good person whose job is simply to make sure everything is okay. Make it clear that at some point, all little boys and girls go to the doctor and that, in the end, it really is no big deal.
Smile When Talking About the Doctor
Young children can interpret the meanings behind body language just as adults can. Therefore, it is vital to convey the right message when discussing a doctor visit. Be careful not to let a child see hints of worry, nervousness, or anxiety in relation to the visit, nor should any concerns about the doctor’s qualifications be expressed. Always smile and maintain a cheery, comforting, and light-hearted tone of voice everytime any mention of the doctor office visit is made to the child.
Don’t Reveal More Than is Necessary
If a child insists on knowing additional details and is old enough to handle precise facts, provide only the most essential and security-enhancing information without increasing the child’s fear. If there is anything about the nature of the office visit that may be too complex to explain, or relates to a more serious medical matter, leave it to the doctor to offer his or her own professional reassurances to the child within the confines of the medical office.
Play Pretend Doctor
Depending on the age of the child, it may be a good idea to play a game of “pretend doctor” before the actual visit. With toddlers, engage in role play, either by using the parent as a patient, or enlisting familiar dolls and huggable animals. Invest in educational doctor play sets for older children so that they may explore and discover what a visit to a friendly and caring doctor could be like. This type of play will help alleviate some of the fear of the unknown by making medical instruments seem less strange and, in some instances, making the processes of the examination part of the fun.
Bring Along Comfort Toys
Whether it’s a stuffed animal, a favorite doll, a soft blanket, or a bright red truck, let the child hold onto whatever object he or she wants. Older children may be embarrassed by bringing a toy and might not want to do this, so it is important to find a suitable substitute. Consider letting children wear whatever outfit they wish to wear, or allow them to bring along something else to which they have an attachment (even if it means letting the parent stay in the examination room!). The thing itself does not matter, as long as it serves to soothe and generate feelings of safety and security.
Reward a Successful Visit
One way to make subsequent trips less traumatic is to provide a reward at the culmination of the current visit. Smother children with words of praise, hugs, kisses and give special treats once the visit is through. This lays a foundation for the next trip to the doctor and imbues the child with a sense of competence and self-assurance, confirming that they are able to survive experiences that may have seemed hugely frightening at the beginning.
Going to the doctor is an unavoidable fact of life and necessary for good health. Making children's visits to the doctor less anxiety-provoking is one of the most valuable things any parent can do for a child.
Make a Doctor Visit Less Scary
|
Help Kids Trust Doctors
|
What do you think about this article?
Comments
More in Partners & Parents
Latest Articles