How to Help Your Child

You know your child best and how much time they may need to think about the visit and ask questions. Below are some general guidelines by age:  

• Toddlers – The day of the procedure 
• Pre-school/Young School Age – A day or two in advance 
• School-age and Up – Several days to weeks ahead of time 

Helping children and teens understand what to expect of an upcoming medical experience can help reduce uncertainty, misunderstandings, and worry. It can also empower them to feel more successful throughout their medical experience. Start by gathering the information you need to best explain their upcoming test or procedure. Talk to your medical team and read through our preparation stories to help you feel more comfortable talking with your child. Children can sense how their caregivers are feeling; the more comfortable you are, the more relaxed they will be.   

Here are some important points to touch on during your conversation: 

• Who will be involved.
  • Doctors, nurses, child life specialists, you, etc.  
• What your child will see, hear, and feel.
  • Include what parts of the body will be involved, using words familiar to your child.
  • While it may be tempting to avoid parts of the test or procedure that may cause stress, it is important to be honest. If your child asks if something is going to hurt, explain what they will feel using gentle words:
  •  Example:
    • Your nurse will gently slide a tiny needle under your skin. You may feel a pinch, but that feeling will not last forever.

• Where the procedure will take place and where you will be during the test/procedure.
  • In a treatment room, operating room, emergency department, etc.
• WHEN you think your child will come home or how long the procedure/test will take.
• Why the test, procedure, or hospitalization is needed.
  • Examples:  
    • “To help understand how your __ is working.”  
    • “To help make your __ feel better.” 

If your child asks questions that you do not know the answer to, encourage them to write them down and ask their medical team.

After you have given your child the facts about a test or procedure, talk with them about what coping strategies they can use to stay as comfortable as possible. Most importantly, ask them what they think will help them feel comfortable. Consider the following questions:

• Would they like a support person with them to hold their hand?
• Would they like to sit up or lay down (if possible)?
• Would they like to be told the steps of the procedure as they are happening?
• Would they like to be able to see the procedure or would they rather look away?
• Would they like a countdown before feeling any discomfort?

You are the expert on your child. We value your input and consider you a part of the team. Talk with your child’s medical team about the plan you have come up with.

As long as you are comfortable being present during the test or procedure, you can stay with and provide support to your child. Here are some tips: 

• Provide verbal support and praise. Be specific.
  Examples:
  • “You are doing a great job holding still!”
  • “Good job taking those deep breaths.”
• Engage your child in coping strategies, especially those you have come up with together.
• Holding Your Child During a Procedure

You can also ask for a child life specialist to help support your child during a test or procedure. A member of the child life team will do their best to be present.

Infant

• Holding your baby
• Shushing
• Soft voice
• Pacifier
• Music or singing
• Rattles

Toddler

• Holding your toddler
• Music or singing
• Bubbles
• Light up toys
• Comfort items (blanket, stuffed animal, etc.)

Preschool

• Music or singing
• Bubbles
• Counting
• Alternative focus using videos, games, or books

School-age

• Conversation
• Stress ball
• Deep breathing
• Music
• Alternative focus using videos or games

Adolescents

• Conversation
• Deep breathing
• Music
• Guided imagery
• Alternative focus using videos or games

Bringing a few of your child’s favorite items from home can bring them comfort. Allowing your child to choose some items to pack may give them a sense of control. Some things to bring with you include:

• Stuffed animal
• Blanket
• Comfortable clothing, pajamas, or slippers
• Toys, games, or books
• Tablet or cellphone (plus chargers!)
• Toiletries

We suggest that you mark all personal items with your child’s name to help us keep track of your things. Additionally, we ask that you please keep latex balloons and flowers at home to avoid any potential safety or health hazards.

Any new or unfamiliar experience in a child’s life, such as hospitalization or illness, can seem very scary for them and their family. Children need to be prepared in an honest way in order to cope with their hospital experience. There is a program available to help prepare you and your child for the hospital experience. It may include some or all of the following:

• Viewing photos of the areas in the hospital your child will see.
• Participating in a medical play session based on your child’s age.
• Viewing an age-appropriate movie about having an operation.
• Receiving a tour of the surgery center and inpatient unit if needed.
• Meeting some of the staff that may be taking care of your child on the day of surgery.

This program has helped children become less fearful and more cooperative, because they know what to expect. Also, parents have felt that this program has helped them feel more at ease and prepared for what their child would experience.

Find more information and resources here.

Child life specialists work with pediatric burn survivors and their families providing support during burn treatments, enhancing coping during hospitalization, supporting through visual differences a burn injury may cause, and providing programming opportunities such as Beads of Courage and Summer Burn Camp.

Find more information and resources here.