For over 23 years, Dr. Anne Georgulas has led Dr. Anne Pediatrics in Coppell, Texas, as owner and principle provider. Board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Anne Georgulas provides compassionate care to children and maintains a welcoming environment at her office that demonstrates her and her team’s commitment to serving kids.
Visiting the pediatrician can be anxiety-provoking for many young children, especially when their verbal ability is limited. In preparation for a doctor’s visit, tell your child about the visit ahead of time. Briefly explain what will occur during the visit. Do not lie to your child about what will happen, and don’t make promises that you’ll break, such as promising that it won’t hurt when a shot is received.
After you discuss this with your kids, give them time to share negative feelings and talk with them about those feelings. Use neutral language and reassure them that whatever condition they have is not their fault, and that others have it too. Do not blame them for an injury, but do make sure they understand the cause-and-effect relationship between the injury and their action. Furthermore, let them know that their visit to the doctor is not a punishment.
Take the time to role play the situation if your child is particularly anxious about their visit. Use play instruments to look into their ears and check their eyes and teeth, then let them perform an exam on their favorite doll. Doing so exposes them to routine medical exam procedures so they are less scared of them.
