Preparing Your Child for Procedures and Surgery

Going to the hospital can be a stressful time for both you and your child.  As parents, you are the experts on your children. 

You know them best and will be most effective in preparing your child or adolescent for hospitalization, a procedure or surgery. 

Child Life Specialists are trained in teaching children and adolescents about medical procedures and helping them cope.  They are a resource for you and your family.

To learn more about how to mentally prepare children and teenagers for the following procedures, click on the links to the right. 

You will find tools and phrases helpful in talking with your child/adolescent about being in the hospital.