How to use it
Pick the big day coming up, then change any step so it matches what will really happen.
Look at the steps together a day or two ahead, when everyone is calm.
Print the cut-out cards too, and bring them along to hold one step at a time.
Check off each step as it happens, so your child can see how much is done.
Make it last: print on cardstock, laminate it or slip it into a sheet protector, and use a dry-erase marker or Velcro dots so you can use it again.
Questions parents ask
How far ahead should we look at it?
A day or two before is often enough. Some children like to see it a few times, and others do best hearing about it that morning. You know your child best.
What if the visit doesn’t go in this order?
Every office does things a little differently, so it helps to call ahead and ask what will happen. If something changes on the day, say so calmly and point to what comes next.
Should I tell my child a shot might hurt?
Simple, honest words often work best, like “It will pinch for a moment, and then it’s over.” If you have questions about the shot itself, ask your pediatrician.
Is my child’s name saved anywhere?
No. A name you type stays in your browser so it can print on the sheet. It is never sent to us.
Is it really free?
Yes. One email unlocks this and every other tool in the library, and you can print as many as you like. Your email also brings one short story each Tuesday, and you can leave anytime.
Read it with a story
This is a simple visual support for everyday routines, not a therapy or a treatment. If your child works with a teacher or therapist, they can tell you how it fits with what they already do. Picture symbols: Mulberry Symbols, CC BY-SA 4.0.
