Q. I’m wondering if you have any tips for preparing my four-year-old for her check-up at the doctor’s office, where she is due for some shots. I am not sure how to make it a positive experience so that she doesn’t become scared about going to the doctor in the future. Any ideas?

There was a consensus among the panelists that this week’s question may be more about the parent’s fear of what may happen.

“We don’t know if there have been problems in the past,” panelist Pam Wallace said, adding, “Kids get shots, kids may cry, but don’t remember later. The parent may be anticipating the child’s reaction based on a past event.“

“One of the things the mother may be afraid of is having to answer the questions the daughter may ask about going to the doctor’s office,” panelist Mike Daniels said, adding, “If she asks, don’t answer right away. Instead, acknowledge that she seems to have feelings about going to the doctor, and get her to talk about them.”

Panelist Denise Continenza said, “If the daughter asks about shots, be honest with her. Tell her she’s getting a flu shot to keep her healthy. Tell her the truth because children lose trust in adults who lie to them.”

While listening to a recent episode of “Doctor Radio” on SiriusXM, panelist Joanne Raftas said she heard a discussion about a child who had freaked out in a doctor’s office. “One of the doctors said when giving shots to children he has them say ‘abracadabra’ or something like it so that by the time they are finished, the shot is over.”

Raftas said that the abracadabra technique gives the child some control instead of just having to wait for the shot. “If there has been a problem in the past,” Raftas said, “call the doctor’s office to make sure there isn’t going to be a long wait, and remind them of the past issues. When At the doctor’s office, give the child something to do.”

Another suggestion from Daniels was to role-play: “Practice with the daughter being the doctor giving mom a shot, or bring a baby doll and have the daughter practice on her.”

Other suggestions were to do something fun after the flu shot, have the child draw a picture of the doctor to make the visit a much more connected experience, and to keep expectations realistic. If not a positive experience, the visit to the doctor can at least be a less stressful one.

This week’s panel: Pam Wallace, program coordinator, Project Child, a program of Valley Youth House; Mike Daniels, LCSW, Psychotherapist, Denise Continenza, extension educator; Joanne Raftas, Northampton Community College, independent counselor, and Chad Stefanyak, school counselor.

Have a question? Email: projectchild@projectchildlv.org

The Family Project is a collaboration of the Lehigh Valley Press Focus section and Valley Youth House’s Project Child.

The Times News, Inc., and affiliates (Lehigh Valley Press) do not endorse or recommend any medical products, processes, or services or provide medical advice. The views of the columnist and column do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Lehigh Valley Press. The article content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, or other qualified health-care provider, with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.