Pre-Admission Orientation and Information
The first step in reducing anxiety is being prepared for the hospital experience. This can be done through visually seeing the place your child will be and removing any misconceptions or fantasies about the hospital. The tour will be designed to help your child understand the sights, sounds, staff, equipment, and routines of the hospital. If you would like to schedule a pre-surgical tour prior to your child's surgery date, please contact Linda Kim, Child Life Coordinator by phone: 202-444-3037 or by email: LMJ4@gunet.georgetown.edu.
Tips for Parents by Age Groups
Infants (0–12 Months)
Infants are sensitive to their environment such as your tone of voice, touch, and sudden movements. New faces and a new environment can be sensed by your infant very easily. It will be important to lower your anxiety as parents as your infant will be able to sense your anxiety. Keeping routines as much as possible can also help lower anxiety in your infant.
- Bring a favorite blanket, toy or pacifier
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Bring a familiar bottle or sippy cup for after the procedure
Toddlers (1–3YO) / Preschoolers (3–5YO)
Most toddlers and preschoolers are ready to be independent, want choices, and there are power struggles. At the same time, they still crave the attention and nurturing from when they were infants. They are beginning to increase their vocabulary, which will still be limited so they may not be able to tell us exactly what they need or want. This is also the age where their imagination and thinking runs wild which can lead to fears and nightmares that we as adults might not think as serious.
You can start preparing your toddler and preschooler three days prior to the surgery. Toddlers and preschoolers learn through play so role playing with hospital play kits are another way to talk to your toddler or preschooler about the hospital and things that go on. They may have seen or read about the doctor or hospital through books and television shows. Your toddler or preschooler can have misconceptions about the hospital and this is a good time to learn about them.
- Be honest with your child using child friendly language.
- Bring a favorite blanket, DVD movie, toy or stuffed animal. Allow your child to choose what to bring.
School Age Children (5–12YO)
School age children can understand a little bit more and can be given more information. Medical play can be very effective with this age group. One to two weeks before hospitalization gives them plenty of time to ask questions and be aware of the procedure.
Children in this age group are very aware of their body changes as well as their physical image. They are very sensitive to body examinations and may feel embarrassed. Giving them their privacy during these times will be critical. Explain what your child may see after the procedure (stitches or bandages).
It is also important to include your child in conversations when the medical team enters the room using child friendly language. When your child feels that they are included, they sense they have more control over the situation.
- Bring a favorite book, stuffed animal, DVD movie, or any other comfort item that your school aged child picks.
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Wireless connection is available, please feel free to bring your laptop.
Adolescents (12–18YO)
Adolescents want to be independent and want to stay involved in the decision making process. Encourage your child to make decisions and ask questions about their condition or procedures. Include your child in conversations made with the medical team when appropriate. Also give them many opportunities to discuss what is happening and any concerns they may have.
Children in this age group are very aware of their body changes as well as their physical image. They are very sensitive to body examinations and may feel embarrassed. Giving them their privacy during these times will be critical. Explain what your child may see after the procedure (stitches or bandages).
- Bring a favorite book, stuffed animal, DVD movie, or any other comfort item that your school aged child picks.
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Wireless connection is available, please feel free to bring your laptop.
Helpful Books about Surgery
A book is a great way to start explaining different things your child may see in a hospital. Also feel free to watch the Bud-E-Bear surgery preparation video below:
Books
- Blueberry Eyes By Monica Driscoll Beaty, Peg Michel (Illustrator) (Eye Surgery). ISBN: 0929173244
- Children's Consent to Surgery By Priscilla Alderson. ISBN: 0335157327
- Chris Gets Ear Tubes By Betty Pace. ISBN: 093032336X
- David's Story: A Book About Surgery (Meeting the Challenge) By Benjamin Brink. ISBN: 0822525771
- Good-Bye Tonsils By Juliana Lee Hatkoff and Craig Hatkoff. ISBN: 0670897752
- Koko Bear's Big Earache: Preparing Your Child for Ear Tube Surgery By Vicki Lansky. ISBN: 1931863423
- Learning About Your Health: Tonsillitis By Kenneth Burles. ISBN: 1571032576
- Let's Talk About When You Have Your Tonsils Out By Melanie Apel Gordon. ISBN: 0823954188
- Rhino By Sheila Solomon Klass (Facial Surgery). ISBN: 0590442511
- Rita Goes to the Hospital By Martine Davison. ISBN: 0679818200
- Tubes in My Ears: My Trip to the Hospital By Virginia Dooley. ISBN: 1572551186
