Health Station Blog

Medical procedures and tests can be frightening for both parents and children, so it’s important that you’re both prepared and calm.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers these suggestions:

* Give your child a detailed, simple and clear explanation of what is going to happen.
* Be specific about which part of the body will be affected, and how it might feel.
* Allow your child to react — even if it includes anger, screaming or crying — but encourage communication about what he or she is feeling.
* Have your child practice the position that will be required — such as lying down, stretching out an arm, or curling up on one side.
* Talk about why the test or procedure is necessary and how it will help your child.
* Let your child make decisions whenever possible, such as the color of the bandage that may be applied.