Child Life Specialist Secrets: Flu Shot Prep Strategies Every Parent Should Know

Thank you to the sponsor of today's podcast: Begin Health

In this episode of the Child Life On Call Podcast, hosts Katie Taylor and Emily Martinec, both certified child life specialists, discuss strategies for preparing, supporting, and responding to children during flu shots.

The conversation extends to other medical experiences, offering developmentally appropriate ways to engage children. They emphasize collaboration with medical professionals, highlight coping techniques, and provide resources like the Support Spot app and a digital flu shot preparation course for parents. The focus is on empowering parents and creating a positive healthcare experience for children.

00:00 Introduction to Flu Shot Preparation

01:10 Empowering Parents and Respecting Medical Professionals

03:05 Understanding the Emotional Impact of Shots

04:08 Practical Tips for Flu Shot Day

09:31 Pain Management Techniques

21:07 Post-Shot Processing and Recovery

24:37 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

When parents feel empowered, everyone wins – kids thrive and the care team excels!

Links and Resources:

• SupportSpot Website
• Download SupportSpot iOS or Android

• 85% of users report high satisfaction, appreciating the Child Life On Call App’s comprehensive resources and user-friendly interface.
• 92% of parent users say the Child Life On Call App helped them understand medical procedures and treatment better.
• 80% of parents believe the Child Life On Call App has contributed to better health outcomes for their child.
• 73% of parent users believe the Child Life On Call App has made them feel more empowered to advocate for their child in healthcare

Learn more here.

Meet the host: 

Katie Taylor is the co-founder and CEO of Child Life On Call, a digital platform designed to provide parents, kids, and the care team with access to child life services tools and resources. She is a certified child life specialist with over 13 years of experience working in various pediatric healthcare settings. Katie is the author of the children's book, and has presented on the topics of child life and entrepreneurship, psychosocial care in the hospital, and supporting caregivers in the NICU setting both nationally and internationally. She is also the host of the Child Life On Call Podcast which features interviews with parents discussing their experiences throughout their child's medical journey. The podcast emphasizes the crucial role of child life services in enabling caregivers both at and beyond the bedside.

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linkedin.com/in/kfdonovan