Knowing what to expect and playing about it can help children better manage their concerns about doctor's visits. When children play about being the doctor, they're the one in charge. That makes it easier to manage when they have to be the patient.

Materials:

• Ball point pen with retractable point
• Strips of cloth
• Tape for bandaging
• Stuffed animals or dolls

Directions:

Help the children pretend about visiting the doctor or giving immunizations by providing play props. Take the ballpoint pen and remove the ink cartridge. Let the children use the "clicker" end to pretend to give an immunization to their dolls and stuffed animals. Other children may want to bandage the dolls or pretend about doctor visits they have had. What kind of things happen when they visit a doctor? You can ask them to help you make a list of other doctor play props that you can collect for their play.

Looking at books can help children with fears about going to the doctor -- or about other fears. Children may be able to hear about something scary if it's in a book and if a caring adult is nearby.

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