Pretend Play: Going to the Doctor is Fun

Pretend play is a great strategy to help a child overcome the fear of going to the doctor. Here's how to help prepare your toddler or preschooler for a visit with a pediatrician.

New experiences like starting a new school, getting a haircut, or going to the doctor can be upsetting or scary to children. When Daniel is nervous about doing something he's not used to doing, like going to the doctor, he and his family sing, "When we do something new, let's talk about what we'll do."

Pretend play can help your child work through fears and feel more in control. In this activity, encourage your child to imagine being a doctor using household items as instruments. Play with your child and mention things a doctor might tell your child as a patient. Help your child to feel comfortable with answering questions and responding to what the doctor might ask.

Directions

Doctor play is so inviting that it usually doesn’t need much of an introduction. Many children like to examine their stuffed animals or dolls. Or your child may want to pretend that you are the patient.

Playing about a visit to the doctor gives your child a way to rehearse what will happen and to be the one in charge of doing the examination. Encourage your child to talk through procedures, for example, having you stick out your tongue and say “ahh” or reassuring a stuffed animal that an injection might hurt a little bit but it will be ok.