Helping Prepare Your Children For A Medical Check Up

As your children grow up, they will regularly need medical check-ups to make sure everything is alright with them. These check up’s could be annual visits to the doctors for a jab, an eye test, maybe they are feeling unwell, or a hearing test. When going through these processes, as a child it can be scary which is why it’s important you prepare them for their check-up before visiting. This could be done by explaining the hearing test process, before they go through it. Below are four ways to help prepare your children for a medical check up. 

 

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Explain The Process Before The Visit 

In the days or weeks leading up to the visit, try and prepare your child for it as much as possible. Explain what will happen and the importance of it. Try to simplify your explanation so that it’s easy for them to understand. If it’s a doctors visit, give them a call beforehand and ask them what they are going to do. This way you can relay this to your child but in a way that doesn’t scare them and so they take it in. 

Timing is key 

Don’t just spring the appointment onto your child the day or two days before they need to go. Sometimes this can’t be avoided, but if it can try. Make sure you give them a couple of weeks notice so that they can get used to the idea of the visit and ask you questions about what to expect. Remember to explain to them in a calm way and the reason for visiting. Remind them that you have been in the past and that it is ok for them to visit as well and that it isn’t for anything serious. 

Distraction Techniques 

One of the most stressful times for most children is when they are in the waiting room, waiting for their appointment. If they are just sitting there, they can get bored and start to worry more than if they were being distracted. For this reason, try and bring something with you that they can use to distract themselves. Maybe you have a games console that they can use, or an ipad to keep their mind occupied. If you don’t have something digital then their favorite toy, or a book where they can do some colouring.  

Give Them A Treat After 

Sometimes the best way to prepare a child is to give them a reward after. Why not tell them you will go out to their favorite restaurant if they are brave when at their check up. Or prepare their favorite snack for when you return home. You may not be able to do this every time, but it’s always a useful one to have when you want them to behave extra well. 

 

Overall you know your children best, prepare them the best ways possible that you know of, and try to incorporate some of the above. It may be that you have to adjust the above to match how you know your child will be, like telling them sooner if you know they react better that way. 

 

How do you prepare your child for a medical check up? Do you have a specific technique that works well for them? Let me know in the comment box below, we would love to hear from you.