Your Child's Visit
What
to bring to the hospital
The hospital
can be an intimidating environment for a child of any age,
but the experience can be made less overwhelming by bringing
familiar objects from home. Though the hospital rooms are too
small for an entire toy collection, there is plenty of room
for:
- A favorite toy or book
- A special blanket or pillow
- Movie videos - the pediatric library has
a collection of over 400 videos to lend!
- A collection of compact discs or music
tapes are also available in the pediatric library
- The hospital provides a gown that must
be worn for surgery and other special procedures, but it
is great for children to bring their own pajamas for other
times.
How
to talk to your child about hospitalization
- Be
honest. When describing the hospital experience to children
of any age, it is important to be honest in your description
and in answering any questions they may have. However, it
is important not to give preconceived notions about what
your child may feel. Caregivers should avoid the use of the
words "pain" and "scary" in describing
experiences the child may have since everyone feels pain
and emotions differently.
- Use
appropriate terminology. Many medical terms can be confusing
for children. For example, the term "I.V." could
be confused with the word "ivy" or "dye"
with "die."
- Provide
examples. Since children learn best experientially, provide
as much information as you can to help the child learn about
their upcoming experience. Describe what the child may smell,
hear, touch, and feel using as many tangible experiences
as possible, such as dolls, books, videos and hospital tours.
- Guidelines
for parents. The following guidelines provide more detailed
information for parents to use prior to and during the admission
of their child to the hospital.
Pre-admission
visit
Pre-admission visits
provide an excellent opportunity for the child and the family to visit
the hospital, ask questions, and alleviate fears of the unknown. Child
Life specialists conduct the orientations which include a tour of the
unit and a discussion about what will happen during the child's stay at
the hospital. Children have the opportunity to look at pictures of the
operating room, play with anatomically correct dolls and ask any questions
they may have before their hospitalization. Caregivers are encouraged
to make an appointment at least two weeks prior to the hospitalization
by calling (212) 263-5585.
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Children's
Reading List
A Hospital Story:
An Open Family Book for Parents and Children Together
By Sara Bonnett Stein (Walker & Co., 1983)
A Visit to the
Sesame Street Hospital
By Deborah Hautzig (Random House, 1985)
At the Hospital
By Amy Moses (Child's World, 1997)
Chris Gets Ear
Tubes
By Betty Pace (Gallaudet University Press, 1995)
Curious George
Goes to the Hospital
By Anne Civardi (EDC Publishing, 1994)
Lee, The Rabbit
with Epilepsy
By Deborah Moss (Woodbine House Inc., 1989)
Let's Talk About
Going to the Hospital
By Marianne Johnson (Powerkids Press, 1998)
The Hospital Scares
Me
By Paula Z. Hogan (Raintree Children's Books, 1980)
Tubes in My Ears:
My Trip to the Hospital
By Virginia Dooley (Mondo Publishing, 1996)
When Molly was
in the Hospital: A Book for Brothers and Sisters of Hospitalized Children
By Debbie Duncan (Rayve Productions, 1994)
Why am I going
to the Hospital?
By Claire Ciliotta and Carole Livingston (Lyle Stuart Inc., 1981)
*This is a brief
sampling of the many wonderful books available for children being admitted
to the hospital. Check your local library and bookstore for additional
titles on this subject.
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