Being in the hospital can be upsetting for your child, as well as the whole family. Recognizing the common fears that your child has at each stage of growth and development can help you in preparing him/her for the experience ahead. Some of the ways to prepare your family include the following:
- Become as knowledgeable as possible about the surgery planned for your child.
- Be truthful with any information. Answer your child’s questions truthfully, according to his/her age and developmental level.
- Read books about hospitalization with your child.
- Take your child on a scheduled hospital tour.
- Give your child choices, when possible.
- Make an appointment for pre-operative preparations with a Child Life Specialist who can provide age-appropriate explanations using medical teaching tools.
Listed in the directory below is some additional information regarding preparing your child for surgery, based on his/her age and stage of development, for which we have provided a brief overview.
Courtesy of the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, 601 Children’s Lane,
In 2001, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters was ranked among the top 20 children’s hospitals in the country by a survey of Child magazine.
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Preparing Your Infant for Surgery Preparing Your Toddler for Surgery Preparing Your Preschooler for Surgery Preparing Your School-Aged Child for Surgery |
http://www.chkd.org/Surgery/prephub.asp