Helping kids cope with being in the hospital.

It’s important to remember that parents know their child best and that includes how their child handles stressful situations and copes with information. In addition to the tips below for children of different ages, parents should take into consideration the unique needs and developmental spectrum of their own child.

Toddlers:

• Having parents present is a comfort and very important
• Provide basic information
• Tell toddlers a day or two before the hospital visit
• Bring comfort items, like a stuff animal, blanket or favorite book
• Consider getting a toy medical kit so the child can practice on a doll or stuffed animal.

School-aged children

• Share information with children
• Talk about the hospitalization or procedure in terms they can understand.
• Explain that the reason for the hospitalization is so that the doctors and nurses can make the problem get better.
• Sensory information is important: if it will smell funny or feel uncomfortable, tell the child

Adolescents

• Adolescents need a lot of information.
• They need to prepare themselves and information helps.
• Encourage them to ask questions and be honest.

Teens

• Like adolescents, teens need a lot of information.
• Some questions they have may be uncomfortable or embarrassing, so encourage teens to write down their questions so that parents or a healthcare provider can answer them.