Tips for Talking to Kids About Shots

Reviewed by Boys Town Child Life-

No one looks forward to pokes, shots or procedures. But they can be especially scary or even traumatizing for kids. In fact, a strong correlation has been found between children who have a fear of needles and adults who avoid routine healthcare.

At Boys Town National Research Hospital, we understand that a child’s emotional well-being is just as important as their physical health. That’s why our CARES commitment focuses on creating a safe, comforting environment for every child.

Our team will do everything possible to ensure your child’s comfort. One way you can help is through the words you choose. Here are four simple tips for talking with your child about pokes and other medical procedures.

It’s important to be truthful and avoid promises that can’t be kept. This helps build trust between you, your child and your child’s health care team. Here are some dos and don’ts for common questions:

• “Will I get a poke?”
• Do say: “Yes” if you know that your child is scheduled for a vaccination or “I am not sure. We will see what the doctor recommends to keep your body healthy.”
• Don’t say: “There will be no pokes.”
• “Will it hurt?”
• Do say: “Some kids say it feels like a poke or pinch, but there are things we can do to make it hurt less.”
• Don’t say: “The poke won’t hurt.”

Too much information can be overwhelming, so avoid overexplaining. Children will ask for more details if they want to know more. Try these open-ended questions:

• “What do you understand?”
• “Tell me what you think about the poke.”

Expressing emotions is part of coping, so be sure to validate your child’s feelings. Then redirect them to how you can help them cope. Options include holding lovies, singing songs, watching videos and using pain management items such as Cold Spray, Buzzy or other numbing options offered by your doctor’s office. Here’s how you can respond in the moment:

• “It is okay to be scared. I’m here to help. Do you want to hold your favorite lovey from home?
•  “It’s okay to feel sad. Most people don’t like pokes. Let’s watch a show on the iPad during the poke.”

Kids may not remember exactly what happened, but they often remember how they felt. Keep your reflection of the experience positive so they have more positive memories than negative ones. Things you can say include:

• “I am so proud of you. You did such a good job holding your arm still.”
• “That was hard, but I know you tried your hardest to hold still.”

When talking about these experiences, it helps to remind your child that the medical team is here to keep their body healthy and safe. We will do everything possible to help your child, so they develop a positive relationship with the world of healthcare.