We know that a clinic visit, hospital stay or surgery can be a big event for you and your child. Talking together about your visit ahead of time will help your child know what to expect.
Remember, your experience with hospitals may be very different from what your child will experience.
Tips on Preparing Your Child
Here are some tips to help your child feel safer about their upcoming visit:
- Help your child prepare for surgery by filling out the Surgery Day Plan in the What to Expect on Your Surgery Day booklet.
- Help your child prepare for a blood draw in our lab by learning coping strategies and creating a Blood Draw Plan in the What to Expect during Your Blood Draw booklet.
- Listen to your child.
- Be honest about what will happen and what may hurt.
- Use short, simple terms your child is familiar with.
- Reassure your child that if something hurts, there are ways to help with the pain, including medicine, relaxation, listening to music and playing games.
- Use one of your child’s stuffed animals to show what will happen and encourage them to ask questions and talk about their fears.
- Reassure your child that you will be with them as much as you can.
- If your child seems uneasy with talking about the visit, stop and try again later.
- Reassure your child that having to go to the hospital, clinic or for surgery does not mean they have done something wrong.
- Encourage your child to bring toys or activities from home to play with during waiting times.
Helping Children of Different Ages
A child understands things based on their age and developmental level. You probably have many ideas of your own. Here are some of ours that you might also find helpful.
Infants and toddlers
Infants and toddlers need to have familiar objects around them at the hospital. Bring along your child's favorite toy, blanket or other comfort item.
2-to-6-year-olds
As children get older, you can talk with them about going to the clinic and about what will happen while they're there. It is important to let them express their feelings.
Saying "I'll bet you're wondering what it's going to be like at the clinic, aren't you?" rather than "How do you feel?" will encourage your child to talk.
Let your child be the doctor to a doll or stuffed toy. They can "operate" on it, give it "shots" or just apply a Band-Aid. Your child might express their feelings more clearly while they’re playing than if you ask them directly.
Reassure your child that you'll stay with them when you can and that other people will take care of them if you can't be there.
6-to-12-year-olds
Many suggestions for younger children are helpful with this age group as well. However, these children understand more than younger children and will ask more questions. Explain that the hospital treats children of all ages, with many different medical problems.
It's important to explain that doctors, nurses and other people at the hospital will do certain tests and procedures to find out what's making your child ill or to help make them feel better.
Teenagers
Teenagers are able to understand more information about their illness and treatment. They may, however, be reluctant to ask questions about things they don't understand. Encourage your teenager to talk to their doctors and nurses about their condition.
Be sure your teen is included in discussions and decisions about their care so that they will feel independent and more in control. Your teen may be worried about their privacy, so reassure them that the hospital staff will treat them with respect.
Even at this age, a familiar object like a phone, computer or journal can help your teen feel calmer at the clinic.
Resources
We have many resources to help you talk to your child about their visit. You can come to the Family Resource Center (level 7, in the River zone by the Frog elevators) and check out books.
Good books
- Preschool: Franklin Goes to the Hospital, Paulette Bourgeois, Scholastic Paperbacks, 2000.
- Preschool to Third Grade: When You're Sick or in the Hospital: Healing Help for Kids, Tom McGrath, Abbey Press, 2002.
- Third to Sixth Grade: Everything You Need to Know About Staying in the Hospital, Patricia J. Murphy, Rosen Publishing Group, 2000.
- Seventh Grade and Up: Coping with a Hospital Stay, Sharon Carter, Rosen Publishing Group, 2002.
- Adult: Your Child in the Hospital: A Practical Guide for Parents, Nancy Keene and Rachel Prentice, Patient Centered Guides, 1999.
Here are more resources and books (PDF) on how to prepare children of all ages for surgery or a hospital stay.
Interactive surgery prep book
From check-in to discharge, follow the colorful photo story of an outpatient day surgery here at Seattle Children's. Written by Child Life specialists, this helpful booklet can lessen worry and spark conversation.
Interactive blood draw prep book
From check-in to discharge, follow the colorful photo story of a blood draw here at Seattle Children's lab. Written by Child Life specialists, this helpful booklet can lessen worry and spark conversation.