6 tips for preparing your child for a COVID-19 test
CBC
Having a swab stuck up your nose for a COVID-19 test is not a comfortable experience for anyone, but for children in particular it can be frightening.
It's not uncommon for children to develop an out-of-proportion fear of the test.
Child health psychologists Kathryn Birnie of the University of Calgary and Meghan McMurtry of the University of Guelph have put together a checklist of techniques to help get your children through it.
"Creating a coping plan for what to do before, during and after is really important," McMurtry told Island Morning host Laura Chapin.
It's better not to leave anything about what is going to happen to your child's imagination. Children will often imagine things that are much worse than they will be.
Describe in realistic, straightforward and neutral terms what is going to happen, and in ways that they will understand.
This is something you can work on together.
Does the child have a particular toy that will help comfort them? Who do they want to sit with?
Explain they will have one important job: to sit very still for the 15 to 30 seconds the test will take.
You are probably going to have to wait in line for the test, and there is the potential for anxiety to ramp up in this time.
Be prepared with something to distract them: games, books, or a tablet with games, movies and headphones.
During the test hold your child close, in your lap or with your arm around them. This is not meant to be restraint, but rather a position where the child can take comfort from your presence.
"Restraint does not help, although you may get through that particular procedure," said McMurtry.
"You're creating this issue where someone is really afraid for the next time."
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