How to Prepare Your Child for a Hospital Visit

One of the biggest questions coming from parents and caregivers is, “How can I support my child through this experience?” Each child is his/her own unique person and will respond to medical experiences in his/her own way. However, there are a few universal concerns that stand out in children at different ages. We, as Child Life Specialists, have compiled a list of ways to appropriately support your child ​during the hospital stay in each stage of life.

• Infants (Birth-11 months)

  Worries

  • Unfamiliar environment
  • Fear of strangers
  • Pain
  • Interrupted routines
  • Separation from family

  Preparation

  • Prepare yourself
  • Be main source of comfort for child
  • Stick to routines
  • Bring favorite stuffed animal, pacifier, blanket

  Support

  • Sing lullabies
  • Hold/rock infant
  • Stroke face, arms or legs
  • Talk in soothing tones
  • Provide comfort items
  • Provide items your infant can watch (bubbles, mobiles, mirrors, crib toys)
  • Shake rattles

  Medical play

  • Let infants explore (mouthing, grasping, touching) and play with safe, real medical equipment
  • Peek-a-boo with doctor hats and masks
  • Letting your infant watch you play with medical equipment
• Toddlers (12 months-3 years)

  Worries

  • Anxiety (separation from family, unfamiliar environment, strangers)
  • Loss of independence
  • Pain (fear of needles and medical equipment)

  Preparation

  • Read about hospitals and talk to your child one or two days prior to the visit
  • Play with doctor kits and explain things in a simple way
  • Assure child you will be with him/her as much as possible

  Support

  • Blow bubbles, sing songs
  • Read books, sound books
  • Hold and comfort child
  • Provide comfort items from home

  Medical play

  • Peek-a-boo with doctor hats and masks
  • Let child explore and play with appropriate medical equipment
  • Water play with syringes in bathtub
• Preschoolers (4 years-5 years)

  Worries

  • Pain (fear of needles and medical equipment)
  • Seeing procedures as punishment
  • Fear of bodily harm
  • Separation from family
  • Confusion about being in hospital

  Preparation

  • Talk in simple words about going to the hospital a few days before visit
  • Explain the visit is to help make him/her feel better, not because of something he/she did wrong
  • Read books about going to hospital
  • Give child time to ask questions and show understanding

  Support

  • Sing songs, blow bubbles
  • Read sound books
  • Watch glitter wand
  • Provide comfort items
  • Talk about some of your child’s favorite things

  Medical play

  • Make medical collages with things found in hospital (bandages, gauze, tongue depressors, cotton balls, etc.)
  • Play and explore with medical equipment and dolls (painting and water play with syringes)
• School Agers (6 years-12 years)

  Worries

  • Loss of privacy and independence
  • Pain
  • Fear of harm to his/her body
  • Fear of death

  Preparation

  • Begin discussions about hospital visit 1-2 weeks before date of visit
  • Let child pack bag for time in hospital
  • Encourage child to talk about feelings and worries to you and staff at hospital
  • Read books about going to hospital
  • Talk about what child may see and feel while in hospital. Always be honest!
  • Explain why he/she needs to go to the hospital (what the surgery or other procedures are for)

  Support

  • I Spy books
  • Handheld games
  • Talk about favorite things (vacation, activity, school)
  • Practice slow, deep-breathing and relaxing
  • Listen to favorite music
  • Squeeze stress ball or hold someone’s hand

  Medical play

  • Make artwork with medical materials (syringe painting)
  • Write story or poem about going to the hospital
  • Play and explore with appropriate, real medical equipment and dolls
• Teenagers (13 years and older)

  Worries

  • Loss of privacy and independence
  • Separation from friends
  • Body image issues

  Preparation
  

  • Include teen in making decisions about surgery or hospital stay, when appropriate
  • Ask his/her opinion
  • Read books or articles about hospital
  • Encourage teen to think about questions and concerns and write them down

  Support

  • Respect his/her privacy
  • Encourage teen to keep in touch with friends
  • Play handheld games
  • Talk with teen about school, friends, etc.
  • Practice deep, slow breathing and relaxing body
  • Squeeze stress ball or hold someone’s hand
  • Listen to favorite music or watch movies

  Medical play

  • Explore and ask questions about medical equipment
  • Create artwork inspired by the hospital experience (can also use medical equipment)
  • Write songs, poems, stories about hospital