developmentally appropriate interactions

Question 1

Infants

Answer 1

Note:
Are unable to verbalize needs, concerns, and discomforts.
Are often quiet, observing the environment around them.
Respond to the nonverbal behaviors of adults: touch, sound, and tone of voice.

Keep in mind:
Parent and caregiver interactions with the infant can provide information about separation anxiety, fear of strangers, and temperament and disposition.
Nonverbal behaviors, such as smiling, promote socialization.

Question 2

Toddler and preschool age

Answer 2

Note:
The period between ages 1 and 5 is a time of intense exploration of the child’s environment.
The speech of a 5-year-old should be understandable.
Children of this age are typically egocentric.
Substantial cognitive, social, psychosocial, and biological growth and development are occurring.

Keep in mind:
Use statements such as “good job” praise, instead of “good boy/girl.”
The child is unable to separate his or her actions from the origin of pain experienced.
Exploring objects through touch helps children gain knowledge of and experiment with unknown environments.
Medical play may be useful in demonstrating how a procedure will take place.
The child may practice or pretend that a doll is having a procedure done.
If appropriate, allow the child to handle a stethoscope, pulse oximeter, and blood pressure cuff, and explore these items in a nonthreatening environment.
Children of this age are very concrete and literal.
Children assume that inanimate objects feel and act as humans do. For example, they might think that something inanimate could bite them.
The child may call an instrument “bad” if it has caused pain or discomfort to them.
They are fearful of unfamiliar objects and environments.
When possible, allow the child to tour a facility or treatment room before the actual treatment.
Preschoolers begin to develop skills in fantasy and pretend play.

Question 3

School age

Answer 3

Note:
Direct communication with children of this age is equally important as communicating with their parents.
School-age children are energetic and want answers to their questions.

Keep in mind:
Curiosity
Want to know why or how things happen
Knowledge gained by hands-on experience
Enjoy having a job or task to complete
Eager to please and want to complete a task independently
Work well with positive feedback
May bargain to postpone an intervention
Concreteness
May overreact if feeling threatened
Able to verbalize thoughts, feelings, or concerns