Simple language for child-friendly explanations
Better ways to phrase.
What you say and what children hear may be two entirely different things.
For children of any age, the wrong choice of words can have a dramatically negative impact and potentially long-lasting effects.
It's important to remember, things people don't understand can be particularly scary, and few children have a strong medical vocabulary.
Give you a shot
Are you mad at me? Why are you going to shoot me? Why do you want to hurt me? Fear of guns.
I need to give you some medicine using a small needle.
IV
Intravenous
Ivy? The plant?
Unknown word.
A way to give medicine through a very small plastic straw.
Flush your IV
Flush it down the toilet?
Explain how liquid helps keep the IV clear so that it is ready for the next time you need some medicine.
For a full set of language recommendations, register on RN VOICE.
Words or phrases that are helpful to one child may be threatening to another. Health care providers should listen carefully and be sensitive to the child's use and response to language.
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Child-life specialists suggest asking children to describe their experience, rather than telling them what they will feel.
This feels like a bee sting.
Tell me how it feels.
The medicine will burn.
Some children say they feel a warm feeling. How did it feel to you?
The medicine will smell bad.
The medicine will smell different than anything else you have smelled before. After you take it you can tell me how it was for you.
Sorry.
Other kids tell me it feels like..
Be a big girl/boy.
When I count to three, blow the feeling away from your body.
Don't cry.
That was hard.
Compiled with assistance from Mary Barkey, RN, Certified Child Life Specialist;Lisa Perry, BS, Child Life Specialist; Dana Swan, MS, Certified Child Life Specialist.