Preparing Your Child for a Hospital Experience
Healthcare experiences, including hospitalization and medical procedures, can be very stressful for children of all ages. Preparing children ahead of time for the things they may experience during their healthcare visit will reduce much of their anxiety, as well as help them cope.
Providing your child with honest, accurate information will help to alleviate many of his/her fears and fantasies about what will happen. Talk with your child about the upcoming event. Give your child a chance to tell you how he/she is feeling and ask questions. Your child may be worrying about something that will not happen. Being honest with your child will help him/her trust you and the people he/she will meet at the doctor's office or hospital.
Tips to help you prepare your child
The more a child knows in advance about what to expect of any healthcare situation, the more comfortable he or she will be.
- If your child is under the age of 5, you should talk to him/her within one to two days of the experience. Older children should have progressively more time to get information and ask questions. (e.g. a few days to a week)
- You may be tempted to tell your child things that are not true. If something will hurt, say so.
- Be honest. If you do not know the answer to your child's question, tell your child that you do not know, but that you will find out.
- Use simple words that your child will understand.
- Encourage your child to discuss feelings and/or ask questions about the upcoming experience with you, but be careful not to force a discussion if your child does not seem ready.
If your child is being admitted to the Hospital, the following tips may be helpful in addition to those above.
- Emphasize that the hospital stay is temporary.
- Reassure your child that you will visit often and will stay overnight if this is the case.
- Pack together for the hospital stay and include the things your child wants with him/her in the hospital. For example, your child may be able to wear his/her own pajamas.
- Point out similarities between the hospital and home such as regular meals, chances to play and having one's own bed.
- Include your entire family in one of your 'pre-hospital' talks.
- Borrow a library book that describes a hospital stay and read it with your child.
- Inquire about any tours or preparation programs that the hospital may provide (e.g. Day Surgery Tour), and visit Kids Health Galaxy , The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Web site for kids.
If your child is having surgery, please visit our Surgery Guide for more information about how to prepare your child for a surgical experience.
The Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy department staff is available to help answer any questions you may have about helping your child prepare for hospitalization or surgery. A child life specialist can explain what will happen, and why, in terms your child will understand. This kind of preparation can be good for you and your child, as well as for brothers and sisters. Please call 215-590-2001 or email childlife@email.chop.edu for more information.
Looking at hospitalization through a child's eyes
Younger than age 3
Your child's greatest concern is being away from you. Being with your child as much as possible during the hospital stay will make your child feel more secure. Younger children, especially those under age 3, often think that going to the hospital is a punishment for misbehavior. Emphasize that this is not the case. Encourage your child to express fears and concerns. Explain, in a way that the child can understand, why the hospital stay is necessary.
Ages 4 to 6
Children in this age group fear damage to their bodies. Be careful when explaining what will take place. Avoid phrases that may have different meanings to a child. For example, your child may associate being put to sleep (when you explain surgical anesthesia) with a pet and think that he or she will die. Instead, say: The doctors will help you take a nap for a few hours, or another appropriate phrase. When talking about surgery say, make an 'opening,' instead of 'cut.'
Ages 6 to 12
Children older than 6 will worry about losing control as well as damage to their bodies. Your child may also worry about doing or saying embarrassing things while under anesthesia. Be open. Don't deny that there will be pain after an operation, if this is the case. Explain that although it will hurt for a while, he or she will be made to feel as comfortable as possible.
Teenagers
Teenagers are often reluctant to ask questions, leading you to believe that they understand more than they actually do. Encourage your teenager to ask the doctors and nurses questions about his or her condition. Include your child in discussions about the care plan for an increased feeling of control.
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