PREPARING OLDER SIBLINGS FOR THEIR YOUNGER SIBLING'S SURGERY

• Some hospitals offer a pre-admission program which are designed for children of different ages. These are useful for siblings.

• Give explanations using words your child understands.

• Explain the operation will help the younger sibling get better.

• Tell your child when the operation will occur, and how long the hospital stay will be.

• Encourage your child to talk about the operation and ask questions. Observe your child playing, for that is how he/she deals with what they do or don't understand.

• Explain that your child will not feel, hear, or see anything during the operation because of special sleep medicine.

• Do not make promises you may not be able to keep.

• When you tell your child depends on the child's age. It is probably best to tell a young child only a few days in advance.

• We bought a doctor's set to play with.

• We allowed brother to come to as many doctor's appointments as possible.

• We told brother (3 ½ years of age) about his sister's surgery one week in advance.

• We warned big brother that his sister would come home with a `big ouch'.

• We left big brother with good friends the week of the surgery.

• We read a lot of books.

CAPPS has become a member of the Amazon.com Association Program, in order to offer the following helpful items for sale.  We believe these items will help you prepare your child(ren) for doctor and hospital visits.  

Just click on the picture or hyper link to be brought to the Amazon.com page hosting the particular item.  You are not limited to just these items, you can continue shopping and CAPPS receives a small percentage of the total sale price, for each item purchased through the CAPPS  website.

A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital by D. Hautzig (1985)	Curious George Goes to the Hospital by M. Rey& H.A.Rey (1966)
Franklin Goes to the Hospital by Paulette Bourgeois (2000)	Going to the Hospital  by Fred Rogers
Going to the Hospital (First Experiences) by Anne Civardi	Clifford Visits the Hospital  by Norman Bridwell
Hospital Roadmap Manual :  A Curriculum Guide to Help Explain the Hospital Experience to Young Children by Ingrid Glatz Elliott	David's Story : A Book About Surgery...
Phil and Lil Go to the Doctor (Rugrats 16) by Becky Gold	Corduroy Goes to the Doctor by Lisa McCue
Elmo Goes to the Doctor By Sarah Albee	Little People On-The-Go Sounds Playset: Eddie's Doctor Visit by Fisher Price
Check Up Ernie by Fisher Price	Fisher Price Medical Kit Playset
Fisher Price Medical Kit Playset	Fisher Price Medical Kit Playset

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The information on this website should not be used for medical advice.  Medical or health advice should be provided only by medical or health professionals.

©Craniosynostosis And Positional Plagiocephaly Support, Inc.2001