A lot of people think about the spooky and the scary during the month of October, but did you know one of the most common fears among children is going to the doctor? It makes sense! Someone you don’t know well is poking and prodding, shining lights in your eyes, and giving you shots. Even many adults dread going to their annual check-up, but it doesn’t have to be a scary experience! As a child gets older, going to the doctor can become an increasingly stressful and frightening experience. Or it can become a normal part of life that doesn’t need to be feared, even if it may never be someone’s favorite day of the year!

1. Do research ahead of time and be willing to find a different pediatrician. Sometimes a doctor’s style, personality, or office environment is not a good fit for a child. Knowing which doctors in your area are covered by your insurance is the best place to start. Read the reviews online. Be willing to change practitioners if it becomes clear this doctor may not be able to work in the way that is best for your child(ren). If it is a good relationship from the start, the child will have fewer negative feelings about doctors as a whole.
2. Explain the how’s and the why’s as much as possible in an age-appropriate manner. The unknown is often the source of a lot of fear, and what a doctor is doing is scary or can seem complicated. In the doctor’s office, take the time to explain everything that is about to happen. If a kid is about to have their lungs checked with a cold stethoscope, explain the doctor is going to check their heart and lungs and that they are listening for the thump-thump of their heart. About to get a vaccine? Help the child understand what the shot is and that it won’t hurt for long before the needle comes out. For many children, knowing what is happening and why can help them feel more grown up and empowered.
3. Have a toy doctor set at home and walk them through the visit ahead of time with the toys. Kids learn by acting and by doing. Let children who are pre-school age or younger pretend to be a doctor. Allow them to practice on their mom or dad and act out giving a shot, having reflexes tested, and listening with the stethoscope. This role-play puts the doctor’s visit on their level and makes it easier for them to understand it when it happens to them. 
4. Give them a treat afterward. While bribery is not always ideal, it can help children overcome scary or painful experiences. This approach works especially well for visits beyond routine check-ups, such as treating a broken arm or removing a tooth. Taking children out for ice cream, buying them a new book, or visiting the park after such appointments can lift their spirits. These rewards teach children that they can overcome challenging situations