MONTESSORI AT HOME: Preparing for Doctor Visits

MONTESSORI AT HOME: Preparing for Doctor Visits

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[AnnaKateTheGreat]

I would also add-- and you kind of touched on this-- to be careful how YOU, as an adult, talk about your own doctor/dentist appointments around your child. Kids with parents who hate math tend to hate math because they've heard their parents talk badly about it. I would assume this also applies to hating the doctor/dentist. If you hear mom or dad come home and be like "OH NO, I HAVE TO GO TO THE DENTIST TOMORROW" then what are you supposed to think when you have to go to the dentist when you've never heard anything good about it?

[jenniestott]

As someone who was in and out of procedures a lot as a kiddo (20-30 surgeries under the age of 5) my mom being open and honest about visits was for sure the best policy! Now if someone would just brief the lady at Walgreens not to take 30 min preparing a shot for my 4 year old actively spazzing about getting a shot *wink* hahaha.

[MariaandMontessori]

2 more strategies to add are letting the child explore the exam room safely while we wait and bringing/preparing coping strategies. We bring some items (usually books now) that I put on one of the chairs and let Stella walk around the room, sit on the chair, sit on the table, etc when it's just us. We don't touch anything we shouldn't, but it gets her more comfortable with her environment and reduces the anxiety while we wait. Having our own book or two (or a car and a rhino, as before 😅) makes it feel a bit more familiar. Daniel Tiger has a book about going to the doctor that we read only about a thousand times leading up to the recent checkup 😅
And we talk/prepare what she will do when she's uncomfortable. She can hug me or her rhino super tight when it's time for a shot. Or when the doctor is first just talking to me, she can sit on me, look the other way and read her book (that moment is always tough for her).
And I keep narrating what is happening/will happen as it is happening. "I'll place you on the scale, we will watch the numbers, and I'll take you off as soon as they stop. They're moving....there, they stopped. We can get up now!" I know the nurses/doctors may often do this, especially as the child gets older, but considering we speak Russian predominantly at home, I go ahead and translate for her as it happens.

[flaviabalzarro]

Hi Ashley and thank you!! you have no idea about how your videos have been inspiring to me in my everyday life with my 2 year old son .. I'm totally shifting my mindset and I'm also enjoying your books suggestions .. I'm so glad you have decided to focus your YouTube channel on a Montessori prospective! Thanks a lot, a hug from Italy, Rome

[martinaseps]

I let my kids pick their own bandaids at home as a way of preparing for the shots. Seams to help!
Also a lot of doctors dont have any more toys in the waiting area since the pandemy. Preparing my kids for that and let them pick a toy to bring...

[philippapay]

So pleased that you covered this with suggestions for how to present facts honestly and how to prepare them for the actual implements and machines and environment. It's so hard unless they've been with you to your doctor ahead of their own visit.

[evag-s]

An extra point about those kids who are a bit more medically complex or need repeated medical appointments, tests, and treatments: child life specialists are incredible and have resources to help you talk to your child! Many children's hospitals will actually have some of these resources online (e.g. a little brochure or PowerPoint with pictures of what an MRI scanner looks like, or what your child will see before going under anesthesia). Do not hesitate to contact child life if your child is having anxiety about these procedures.

[surabhiagrawal]

I want to believe you wrt to being upfront about the shots and the blood draws. But as someone whose anxiety runs in the family, im very apprehensive about introducing anxiety about shots 1 month in advance. Id rather they worry about it for a day than spend a month miserable about whats about to happen. Will definitely try your suggestions though! Thats why I watch your channel to try and shift my mindset!

[Dana-mbhd]

Ashley this video couldn’t have come at a more perfect time my toddler had a doc appointment coming up! Thank you 💜🙏💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🙏

[marie-louiseweerheim]

Did you ever ask a doctor to explain the proces? My 2O months old understands a lot. I don't know if she would have cried the same, but I would like (the doctor) to explain what's happening... I did tell her a bit beforehand but I didn't know how to explain. I might get her an pretend doctor kit.

[nechan.]

How about some tips for those parents? ER visits

[codecandice]

Would you have any advice for calming a child about an upcoming wellness check up when they've already been traumatized by previous wellness checks and an ER visit? Nurses weren't patient or nice during the pandemic at our hospital unfortunately so even though they are nice now, he wont even step on the scale for a weight check. 😥

[danabattisto]

Do you have your doctor read the inserts to you and your child? Do you know what your injecting into them exactly? Adverse side effects? I love your channel but unfortunately haven't heard how to deal with vaccine injury or awareness. It's a very real and sad reality for many children. Thoughts?

[shelbymace]

On this same note…
What do you do when your child says “I don’t want to go.” Or “I don’t want to do that”
Even after you prepare them months in advance…. And story tell them the process.