Preparing Children for a Hospital Visit

'How do I prepare my child for hospital?' This is a question that faces most parents at some time or other.
Closely followed by 'How do I explain it?' and 'Should I prepare them at all?'

The answer to the last question is 'Yes' - preparing your child for hospital is essential - even though it might seem easier at the time to say nothing, a prepared child will cope far better. Not preparing children can also lead to problems regarding trust.

"If your child knows what to expect, they are more likely to be co-operative, cope better and gain a sense of achievement."

The CD-ROM 'Going to Hospital' is an essential guide to explaining hospital to children of all ages.

Choose your child's age category

Dodi covers babies and toddlers                            

                                           Digg is for 4-7 years
                                           Hazel covers 8-12 years
                                           Buck is for 13 - 16 years  

Each character has their own menu - so you select your child's age category. Each character's menu has a selection of topics, such as:
Preparing for a hospital visit, taking medicine, preparing for surgery and waiting areas.

This means for every age group, there are different ways of explaining and preparing - these relate to each age category and contain relevant language and descriptions.
The different characters also have games, quizzes and colouring pages that suit all age groups - such as the word search or picture quiz.
There is a section on relaxation and breathing techniques with a guided relaxation story that your child can download and listen to - or you can print and read to them. This is designed to aid relaxation and teach your child coping techniques. It's a good idea to use this before your admission.

Child-friendly explanations and illustrations.

    As well as a comprehensive guide that covers a visit to hospital, there is an extensive Parent Information section which lists child-friendly decsriptions of hospital procedures and equipment, important information and guide about distraction, information about siblings, a list of 'Do's' and 'Dont's' and steps for preparing your child. 

In the printables section, there are numerous colouring pages, a handy packing checklist, pain scale, reward chart and word search. All designed to help your child become familiar with hospital images, equipment, words and procedures.

'Going to Hospital' is available worldwide - online or by post with our order form, which can be printed from our website.

To find out more:

http://www.hometrain.ie/gth/