Going to the doctor with a child is an adventure (sometimes a challenge!) for both parent and child. Whether it’s a routine checkup or something more specialized, kids are scared or even nervous about doctor’s visits.
Our children need to be in a place where they are safe, comfortable, and assured. But let’s start with some simple, touching suggestions on how to get your kid ready for a doctor’s appointment so that it goes as smoothly and comfortably as possible.
1. Communicate the Trip Well in Advance – And Keep it Light
Days before a doctor’s appointment is the best time to prepare your child. It is easier for kids to anticipate if the talk is relaxed and straightforward.
Say no to scary words such as “shot” or “pain” and instead say, “The doctor is going to see how good you are” or “We’re going to see how much you’ve improved!”
A good starting point for very young children is to have things described specifically and positively. For instance, “The doctor wants to keep you strong, just like a superhero!” can give the visit a bit of play and intrigue.
2. Don’t Be a Troll and Don’t Give In (Just Not So Tough)*Tell Their Stories (Slowly) Do What You Can To Protect Them.
Kids are interested, and they might have lots of questions. Don’t simply dismiss them; be prepared to reply to everyone in as true a way as you can, in language appropriate for your age. For example, if they are asking, “Will it hurt?” The comfortable reply is: “Oh, there are a few spots that will be kind of funny, but I’ll be right here with you and the nurse, and the doctor will get it done fast.
That’s honest. It makes your child feel you are trustworthy and that he can trust you to tell him the truth. And if your child’s frightened, tell him/her about the doctor visits you had when you were a child and let them know that we adults sometimes are nervous—and that’s okay.
3. Role-Play “Doctor” at Home
Play is the best preparation for a doctor’s appointment. Pretend play is great because the kids can model what they are feeling and get a sense of what will occur during the actual visit.
Grab a doctor’s kit or a few stuffed animals or dolls, and let your child be the doctor. You can even play the “patient,” and they will measure your pulse, “shoot” you, or check your lungs. This joking enables them to come to the doctor visit in control and without stress.
4. Read Books Together about Seeing the Doctor
Books can also be an excellent tool for teaching kids about new things, like doctor’s appointments. Reading a book in which a friend goes to the doctor might help your child become comfortable with the experience.
Great books are Curious George Goes to the Doctor and The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor. Seeing beloved characters go through the same thing can ground them and make them feel connected and reassured.
You can find additional information about health for kids at [American Academy of Pediatrics](https://www.aap.org) Website for book recommendations.
5. Make Them Feel At Home and Bring Stuff They’re Used To
When you get there, take your kid with you to ensure he/she is at ease. Wear warm clothes and pack a favorite toy or blanket with you. Remainder objects can give a sense of safety in a new place. Children even love taking a “doctor kit” to show their physician. This gives them a slight amount of ownership and agency and personalizes it.
6. Select the Right Time of Appointment
The date can impact your child’s behavior and mood during the visit. Be sure to make an appointment at a time when your child is usually tired and grumpy – after a nap or dinner, for instance.
A groggy or hungry child will only be extra stressed, so try to find a time that works for you and your child.
7. Prepare Yourself as Well
Kids can’t help but turn to their parents for suggestions on responding to a new environment. If you’re calm and happy, they’re more likely to be, too. Breathe, smile big, and don’t stress out that your child may be frightened, but he or she will grow confident every step. You can also feel prepared and controlled by preparing questions for the physician.
8. Define What is Going to Happen Step by Step
When you leave for the doctor’s appointment, walk your child through what is coming next. You might be thinking, “Let’s go to the front desk. Then we’ll wait in a room full of toys and books. We’ll go into another room when it’s our turn, and the doctor will greet us and do a few rounds to see how you’re doing.”
If you explain in plain language what is involved, children will feel well-organized, and their imaginations won’t be as wild as they are.
9. Treat Brave Behavior – Don’t Mess with It
If your child got scared or cried during the appointment, celebrate her courage afterward. A sticker or a little reward might add to the good feeling, but it does not need to be too much. It’s to celebrate their bravery and cooperation in a carefree, nonjudgemental fashion.
10. Follow Up with Positivity
When the visit is over, describe it as good and say what they liked about it or what they did well. For example, “Oh, you’re so courageous that the doctor checked your heart rate!” Reiterate a positive recall of the moment. The next time they visit, they’ll know how proud and strong they were at the last one, making their visits much easier.
11. Use Reputable Online Resources For Advice and Guidance
There are lots of great websites if you ever don’t know what to do when your child is in the hospital. Sites such as [HealthyChildren.org.org](https://www.healthychildren.org) of the American Academy of Pediatrics have helpful articles about child health and dealing with doctor visits. These sites can help give you professional advice and any other queries.
12. Make the Doctor a Normal Fact of Life
Make it a habit to let your child know that going to the doctor is part of maintaining good health. The doctor is like the eater, the sleeper, and the toothbrusher—we visit to keep our bodies well-nourished.
The more your child becomes used to the doctor as part of the process, the more comfortable he will become.
Conclusion
Don’t Take Doctor’s Office for Granted* Last Thoughts: Make Your Doctor’s Office Positive!
Preparing a child for a doctor’s appointment needn’t be daunting. Every visit can be more leisurely and, in some ways, more educational if you are gently prepared, familiarized, and coached. If children think the doctor is somebody who can keep them well, they’ll be more comfortable, and visitation can be seamless or even pleasant.