Taking a child, especially a baby or a toddler, to a pediatrician appointment is undoubtedly one of my least favorite responsibilities as a parent. How do you occupy a toddler who refuses to sit in the stroller, touches everything, throws themselves on the floor, or runs around?
Although I agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics, “Laps, not apps,” I too have resorted to apps over laps at times. But when I am feeling more prepared and am bringing my mom-game the entire experience is more peaceful. The following easy-to-pack and easy-to-clean toys even promote cognitive skills, social skills, creativity, problem-solving, motor skills, speech and language development, core muscle strength, bilateral integration and coordination, and even pre-writing skills, all while keeping your toddler distracted while waiting for or during their appointment.
Play Medical Kit
Model pretend play with a play medical kit on your toddler’s doll or toy, yourself, or even on their pediatrician. Incorporate speech and language in ways such as placing the stethoscope on their heart and say “Heart, thump, thump, thump.”
Below is the medical kit that my toddler takes to pediatrician appointments.
Washable Doll or Toy Animal
Encourage pretend play with a washable doll or toy animal to keep the germs at bay.
Bring their doll or toy in a baby carry-on encouraging your toddler to pretend the baby is their baby and that they are bringing them to a doctor’s appointment.
Two easy-to-clean dolls that we have purchased and enjoy.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Baby-Alive-Sweet-n-Snuggly-Baby-Soft-Bodied-Washable-Includes-Bottle/131063459
Washable Crayons
Sit next to your toddler and position them on their stomach, propped on forearms, on the throw-away paper sheets on the medical exam table. Place a crayon out in front of your toddler and encourage them to scribble. Draw vertical lines, horizontal lines, and circles. Encouraging them to imitate you or color in the circle.
These are the crayons I use with my toddler. There are many options available on the market for varying ages; however, I have not used other ones to provide feedback.
Stack-ables
Stuff a sealable bag with 10 easy-to-clean stackable blocks or pull-apart beads. Stack, push together and pull apart. Turn them into buildings or vehicles.
I have not personally used these; however, so far, I’ve been satisfied with all my Green Toy purchases. I had a basic LEGO DUPLO set that I used.
Board Books or Bath Books
Read to your toddler, encourage them to pretend to read to their doll or toy. Talk about the pages, interact and encourage various oral motor and fine motor actions (i.e. If the book talks about wind or blowing bubbles pretend to blow bubbles or make sounds like the wind. If there are objects to count in the book work on isolating their pointer finger, tapping, and counting the items on the pages.) I preferred tiny board books for travel and appointments similar to the ones below.
Every toddler is different so if these suggestions are not bringing peace consider the following triggers. Aside from remembering their last visit, there are several triggers in a pediatrician’s office: bright lights to children screaming and crying in the room next door. Identifying your child’s triggers and addressing them is a blog in itself.
Some other quick suggestions:
Sing 5 Little Monkeys to the doll or toy (5 little monkeys jumping on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head. Mommy called the doctor and the doctor said, no more monkeys jumping on the bed.)
We would love to hear more about your favorite pediatrician appointment tips and easy-to-clean toys in our comments section.
Wishing you peaceful pediatrician visits,
Kim Bandi, OTR/L, Founder of The Nurture Notebook
Note: We are not affiliated with nor do we receive a commission on any of the toys mentioned below.
