Make lessons easier to digest for kids
By Kathy Ordelt, RN
Patient & Family Education Coordinator
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Atlanta
When providing medical care for children, much of our patient education efforts are directed toward adult caregivers. However, it is also very important to include the child in our teaching whenever appropriate. Knowledge of child development stages can help us make the most of our teaching and care. ( See chart, inserted in this issue .) Children move through these stages at individual rates and may show traits of two different stages simultaneously.
Some general guidelines to use during teaching encounters with children include:
• Ask and listen.
Assess what the child knows already. Ask, "Why are you in the hospital?" rather than "What’s wrong with you?"
• Be honest and gain trust.
Don’t promise things that you can’t deliver.
• Create an active role for a child when teaching.
Children, like adults, do well with "hands-on" learning. Use dolls, books, games, medical kits, and "safe" equipment.
• Remember to "time" your teaching.
— Teach toddlers shortly before an event or procedure.
— Teach preschool and young children one to two days before the event.
— Teach school-age children three to seven days in advance.
— Teach teens as soon as possible to give them time to mentally prepare and gain control.
• Give the child realistic choices, if possible.
Choices help a child gain a sense of control with his or her illness or hospitalization. Ask, "Do you want to take your medicine with juice or milk?" However, if choice isn’t an option, don’t give one.
• Teach and prepare the child’s caregivers.
When possible, prepare caregivers ahead of time and give them ideas about how they can support and help their child.
• Praise a child for his cooperation or help.
Be specific in praise and avoid saying "Good boy." Instead, say: "I like the way you held the tape for your dressing change." Let him pick from a "prize box" when you’re done teaching as a reward for his help.
• Evaluate learning by asking a child for feedback.
In their own words, have children "teach" you when they’ve learned a new concept. n
For more information on teaching children, contact:
• Kathy Ordelt, RN, Patient & Family Education Coordinator, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, 1001 Johnson Ferry Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30342. Telephone: (404) 929-8641. Fax: (404) 929-8690. E-mail: [email protected].
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