Ease doctor visit stress for kids
For children older than toddlers, anticipation is sometimes the worst.
Most children experience some anxiety regarding doctors’ visits. For children older than toddlers, anticipation is sometimes the worst. However, Parents magazine reminds that once the ordeal is over, children move quickly onto the next thing.
A few of Parents’ recommended tips for minimizing stress include:
- Prepare. Read books about visiting a doctor. A few are “The Berenstain Bears Go to the Doctor,” “Say ‘Ahhh!‘: Dora Goes to the Doctor” and “What to Expect When You Go to the Doctor.” Role play with a toy doctor kit; “listen” to heartbeat and “take” blood pressure. Use a scale to show how weight is measured.
- Stay calm and relaxed. If a child sees a parent or guardian comfortably talking about the doctor visit, an...