No more doctor fears!

Trips to the doctor are a fact of life for young children. Babies might not mind the poking and probing from the doctor and may not even remember the sting from a needle from one visit to the next, but as your child gets older, fears set in and going to the doctor can become a confusing and often scary experience.

Prepare your child before a checkup by reading books about going to the doctor or explaining what a doctor does and why it is important to be seen by one. With your doctor’s permission, take your child to the office just to familiarize her with the building and play with the toys in the reception room. Let her meet the doctor as a friend without the stress of an examination. Role-play with your child about a doctor’s visit:

One of the most important relationships is the one between you and your child’s doctor. You may start your search from the beginning of your pregnancy, but somewhere along the years new doctors may be needed because of moves or insurance changes. This search merits investigation, time, and thought.

A recommendation from other parents and a local hospital referral service is a good way to begin.

For a toddler who thinks he is wounded, nothing soothes his feelings like a little TLC, words of reassurance, and a bandage. Today, these strips of relief even come in neon colors and fashion prints. You can always decorate the plain ones with the help of a permanent marker—just draw a smiley face to turn a frown upside down! While role-playing with your child, don’t forget to put one on his favorite teddy bear or toy to help cure the “boo-boo” too.

Children love music and rhyme, so sing this traditional song together anytime and especially on doctor days:

“Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
That’s what you get for jumping on the bed!”

Repeat for 4, 3 and 2 monkeys, then:

“One little monkey jumping on the bed,
He fell off and bumped his head,
Mama called the doctor and the doctor said,
Keep those monkeys off the bed!”

Put together some props for role-playing: tongue depressor, box of bandages, fever scan tape (available at drugstores) to take your child’s temperature, old white shirt (to use as a lab coat), homemade alphabet eye chart, small toy hammer (for testing reflexes), and a toy funnel stethoscope.

To make the Toy Stethoscope, you’ll need: two small plastic funnels and 18 inches of clear, plastic tubing. Just attach the tubing over the ends of the funnels and your child can listen to her heartbeat. Place one funnel on her heart and the other funnel to her ear. She can also listen to knees bending, stomach gurgling, and other body noises. There are several places on the body where she can pick up a heart beat–have her experiment.

You can help your child become interested in the props by reading some new stories about visits to the doctor:

Here are a few activities where your child can use medical tools for creative projects: