How to Prepare Your Child For a Visit to IFM

​Doing anything outside of your child’s regular routine can be a bit overwhelming and stressful for both parent and child. There are ways to help prepare your child so the experience is more positive and successful. These techniques can be used to help prepare your child for anything new that they may be experiencing such as their first day of school, potty training, a procedure at a hospital or out-patient surgery center, dental visit, and more. These are 3 ways to help prep your child for a successful visit to IFM. 

• Talk to your child: About 2-3 days prior to your child’s appointment, let your child know that soon you will be taking them to visit IFM. Let them know that while they are there, they will meet with a provider (use the provider’s name if possible otherwise “doctor” is fine). In a simple but detailed language, give them an idea of what they can expect. For example you could say something like, “In 2 days mommy is going to take you to visit Ms. Kara at IFM. When we are there mommy will talk to Ms. Kara and you can too. Ms. Kara will want to know all about you, like how old you are, how tall you are, and how much you weigh. She may even use special tools to help her get to know you, like a stethoscope that listens to your heart beat, and a scale that tells her how much you weigh. While we are there Ms. Kara might take your temperature with a thermometer, just like mommy does at home. It shouldn’t hurt, but it's okay to feel a little nervous or scared, mommy will be with you the whole time. When we are done, you will get a lollipop and can play with the toys there while mommy finishes talking to Ms. Kara. Then we will go home. Do you have any questions?” 

Each day leading up to the appointment, repeat a similar conversation. On the way to the appointment, give one more reminder of what they can expect when they arrive at IFM. The more you talk and prepare them, the better they will feel going in. They may still be nervous, or even cry, and that is ok. Remind them that you are with them, they are safe, they are allowed to feel that way, and soon it will be over. 

• Role Play: It is a great idea to play with a toy doctor kit at home, so your child can make associations with the instruments they may encounter on their real life visit to IFM. During the play, let your child know the names of the instruments and how they are used. Some children may not want the instruments to touch them, that's ok you can use a doll or teddy bear instead to demonstrate. Encourage them to give you a check up. This is a great way to review parts of the body as well as teach them how to show compassion when someone is injured or sick. You may also want to take this opportunity to role play taking medicine, as this is something many children struggle with. Try using a doll and say something like this:Parent: “Dolly it is time to take your medicine.”

Dolly: “NO! I don’t want to take my medicine, it tastes yucky!”
Parent: “Oh, I understand that you don’t like the way this medicine tastes. It is important to take your medicine because it will help your body feel better. How about I give you your cup of water so you can take a big drink after you take your medicine?”
Dolly: “well, okay”
Parent: “Here you go,” (hands water cup to Dolly and then gives her the medicine. Dolly then takes a big drink of water)
Dolly: “That wasn’t so bad.”
Parent: “Great job! I knew you could do it!”

Sometimes a little encouragement goes a long way.

• Books & Shows: Reading books and/or watching a show about going to the doctor can really help your little one understand visually what they might experience at their appointment. There are lots of great books about all kinds of situations you may need to prepare them for. For books, we recommend Corduroy Goes to the Doctor by: Don Freeman or Leo Gets a Checkup by: Anna McQuinn. For shows, Daniel Tiger has an episode called “Daniel Gets a Checkup,” that is great. Reading books and watching shows multiple times 2-3 days leading up to the appointment can really help your child visualize what to expect. 

​Utilizing these 3 techniques together, can really make a big impact on how your child’s visit to IFM will go. We hope this will help you and your child enjoy your experience here at Integrative Family Medicine, we look forward to your visit!