Preschool (3 — 5 years)
Preschoolers love to participate in simple games, and are physically quite active and very independent. They tend to misunderstand words they hear, so misconceptions are common. Preschoolers have a limited ability to distinguish fantasy from reality and so may believe, for example, that cartoon characters are real. The ability to think and to learn develops rapidly during this time.
Preschoolers commonly fear the unknown, body mutilation, loss of body function, pain, needles, and that hospitalization or a medical procedure is a punishment. These fears can be increased during a hospital or healthcare experience. The following strategies can help parents and caregivers during their preschooler's healthcare experience.
Review our growth and development information for more about your child's development by age.
Play and recreation
- Bringing familiar toys and objects such as blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, dolls, movies, music and clothes
- Listening to favorite music
- Watching favorite movies or cartoons
- Playing board games such as CANDYLAND, CHUTES AND LADDERS and MEMORY.
- Drawing with crayons and paper
- Reading with an adult
- Counting objects
- Building with blocks
- Bouncing, throwing and kicking balls
- Cutting and gluing with scissors and paper
- Participating in group activities with peers
- Pounding, hammering and crashing toys
- Crafting with play dough, painting and drawing
- Playing with puppets and dolls, and playing house
- Playing with water and sand
Medical play
- Playing with doctor kits and dolls
- Using medical materials to make painting and collages
- Painting with syringes
- Letting your child explore and play with medical equipment
- Reading books about healthcare experiences
Preparation
- Talking with your preschooler three to four days before his or her healthcare experience
- Using simple words without too many details
- Helping your preschooler understand that he or she did not do anything to cause the hospitalization, procedure or surgery
- Encouraging your preschooler to talk about his or her feelings
- Giving your preschooler the opportunity to ask questions
- Reading books with pictures of medical equipment
- Using play medical kits to allow expression of feelings
Coping techniques
- Blowing bubbles
- Spinning pinwheels
- Reading pop-up and sound books
- Playing music and singing
- Counting
- Talking about favorite things such as a pet or a favorite place
Contact Us
- 215-590-2001
