The child must visit the doctor in his early years, due to the diseases he is often exposed to and the vaccinations and tests imposed on him at this stage that make a visit to the doctor inevitable. How do we rid our child of his fear when visiting the doctor?
The German “Hundert Gesundheit-Tips” website gives tips to help parents take the hand of their children when visiting the doctor and make this visit as comfortable and enjoyable as possible:
• Informing the child of the doctor’s appointment is very important to him, and any delay or late notification in front of the clinic door will only be met with crying and refusal to enter.
• How can the doctor’s visit be portrayed to the child in a way that he understands and is convinced of? There is no solution, of course, except by representing this visit with its roles at home, i.e. playing these roles with the child in order for him to have a prior idea of this visit.
• Prepare the child well before visiting the doctor and explain the importance of regular check-ups to prevent him from any health problems.
• You should not show your fear in front of your child when visiting the doctor, so as not to give him the feeling that visiting the doctor is terrifying.
• Do not frighten your child with the doctor and threaten him if he does not do something or refuse to do something that you have ordered him to do, but you must explain to him the important role of the doctor and that he is someone who helps him to stay healthy.
• Accompany the child during the examination, stay by his side, and encourage him to hold his hands and caress him so that he feels reassured and safe.
• Taking enough time to visit the pediatrician also gives your child more reassurance and security.
• Praising the child for his courage makes him proud of himself. Therefore, parents are advised to show their pride in their child, as this makes it easier for the child and parents as well for future doctor visits.
