[ Child Life 101] How to Prepare Children for Medical Procedures

Does this sound familiar? You try to prepare children for medical procedures, but no matter what you do, they still end up feeling stressed and anxious. You've been told to simply explain the procedure to them, but it's not working. The pain of seeing children scared and overwhelmed during medical experiences is heart-wrenching, and you're desperate to find a better way to help them feel informed and equipped.

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In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover savvy ways to prepare children for complex medical procedures letting families breathe easy.

• Unearth potent strategies to mitigate infants' hospital-induced stress and provide aid.

• Learn game-changing techniques that turn medical acclimatization into child's play for toddlers.

• Master the art of using imagination and language as tranquilizing tools for preschoolers.

• Understand how to empower school-age children with the ability of choice during medical preparation.

   

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction,

00:00:59 - The Role of ChildLife Specialists,

00:03:48 - Preparing Infants for Procedures,

00:07:50 - Preparing Toddlers and Preschoolers,

00:13:56 - Preparing School-Age Children,

00:16:27 - Importance of Peer Support for Teens,

00:17:15 - Maintaining Privacy and Independence for Teens,

00:17:52 - Recap of Stressors and Considerations for Different Age Groups,

00:18:30 - Conclusion and Invitation to Continue Child Life 101 Series,

00:19:00 - Wrap-Up and Closing Remarks,

We want to make sure that they have accurate information. One of the things we can do with these preschoolers who use their beautiful imagination is really use that to our advantage when we are preparing them for something. - Katie Taylor

Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about child life, this podcast is for you.

Learn 6 Positions to Help Kids Feel Comfortable and Safe

Here are some of our favorite affiliates that help promote positive coping for kids:

10% off Coping Kits and other select merchandise at Present Over Perfect

Meet the host: 

Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.

Instagram.com/childlifeoncall

Facebook.com/childlifeoncall

linkedin.com/in/kfdonovan

Do you want to feel empowered and confident in advocating for your child's healthcare needs? Are you searching for a solution that will help you effectively speak up for your child in healthcare settings?

In this episode, I will be sharing the key to unlocking your advocacy potential, enabling you to achieve the outcome you desire - ensuring the best possible care for your child. By exploring the role of child life specialists, together we will explore how child life provides you with the knowledge and tools necessary to become a formidable advocate.

Say goodbye to feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, and hello to being a strong and effective voice for your child's healthcare needs. They show you how to understand your child's needs and empower you to advocate for their wellbeing.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand why parental advocacy is essential to getting the best possible health outcome for the child

• Learn how child life specialists use their skills to help parents learn how to advocate

• Be aware of the challenges of advocating in healthcare and how child life supports parents during those times.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:21 - Introduction,

00:01:11 - The Importance of Parent Advocacy,

00:03:10 - Research on Caregiver Advocacy,

00:04:22 - Teaching Parents How to Advocate,

00:07:28 - Overcoming Challenges of Advocacy

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Visit Child Life On Call's website at childlifeoncall.com/parents to access more information and free resources to help support your child's unique needs.

• Tune in to the Child Life On Call podcast every Wednesday to hear parent stories and gain insights from those who have gone through similar experiences.

• Explore the different episodes of Child Life On Call 101, where we cover various topics related to child life specialist practices, to learn more about how you can implement these tools and tips into your family life or professional work.

• Sign up for updates and newsletters from Child Life On Call to stay informed about new resources, events, and opportunities to further support your child's healthcare journey.

• Take advantage of the educational and emotional support provided by Child Life On Call specialists to help you navigate the hospital system and effectively advocate for your child's needs.

• Share your journey and experiences as a parent on the Child Life On Call podcast to support and inspire others going through similar situations.

• Connect with the Child Life On Call community through social media platforms to engage with other parents and caregivers who are also navigating the healthcare system and advocating for their children.

• Consider becoming a member of Child Life On Call to

Every family deserves a child life specialist.

 ________________________________________

Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more about child life, this podcast is for you.

Learn 6 Positions to Help Kids Feel Comfortable and Safe

Here are some of our favorite affiliates that help promote positive coping for kids:

10% off Coping Kits and other select merchandise at Present Over Perfect

Meet the host: 

Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform revolutionizing pediatric healthcare by putting parents at the center of the medical journey. With over 13 years of experience as a certified child life specialist, Katie has made significant contributions to the field. She is an accomplished author, an engaging speaker on child life and entrepreneurship, and the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast. Katie's work emphasizes the vital role of child life services in supporting caregivers and enhancing children's medical journeys.

Instagram.com/childlifeoncall

Facebook.com/childlifeoncall

linkedin.com/in/kfdonovan