Getting ready for surgery

Familiarity is the antidote to fear...

We know a trip to hospital can be a bit scary but we’re here to help, every step of the way.

Helping your child feel confident about their hospital admission not only helps them cope better with this visit. It also sets them, and you, up for more relaxed and positive medical experiences as they grow.

In this program, you’ll find videos, guides and activities you can use to prepare for your child’s upcoming hospital visit.

Kids learn best through play!

Social stories are a great way for kids to get ready for new experiences.

By taking Ted through his first trip to hospital, you and your child will be able to learn about what to expect on their own visit.

In Part 1: Teach Ted for kids you can join comedien, author and mum, Gretel Killeen as she tells the story of Ted’s first hospital visit.

You can also download the ‘Ted goes to hospital Activity Pack’ to help you kick off some creative medical play and print off your child’s certificate.

Preparing through play will help your child feel comfortable about what might happen and why, reduce anxiety and give them a safe space to ask you anything else they might want to know.

Teach Ted is for parents too!

Feeling daunted or nervous yourself is understandable. You might be very familiar with medical settings or it may all be new to you. Either way, when it’s your child going to hospital, it’s perfectly normal to feel a bit nervous, not to mention a bit worried about how you might answer some of those curly questions kids like to ask!

To help you feel more confident before you start, make sure you check out the parent guide. You can find it in Part 2: Teach Ted for parents.

Watch the video or read the PDF guide to learn about common fears children have and age-appropriate ways to discuss them. There are also tips on where to go for more information as well as when and how to ask for help if you think your child might need a little extra support.

Not sure where to start?

Check out the timeline which takes you step by step from telling your child about their upcoming visit through to recovery post-surgery.