by Cassie Gorman
Child Life Specialist

One of my goals as a child life specialist is to help reduce the stress and anxiety that accompanies hospitalization. It is not uncommon to hear a child life specialist talk about using the “right” words when talking to children.  I have recently learned, unfortunately the hard way, the impact that words can have.

One day I was preparing a patient for surgery. I was really looking forward that the time had come for him to have surgery. I had the privilege of doing therapeutic activities while he was bed ridden during his lengthy hospitalization.

The preoperative teaching was going great until I said,  “A surgery transporter will come and show you (in your bed) and mom and dad, walking beside you, how to get downstairs to the bunny room, where your job is to pick out a special toy.” Normally at this point in a preoperative teaching, a child gets a huge smile on their face thinking about all of the super cool prizes in the Bunny Room.

Well, not this patient. He lost it.

He cried for what seemed like 12 years. I had a little moment thinking to myself, "I am a child life specialist; I am supposed to reduce anxiety, not CAUSE it!" Through his tears he managed to tell me that he was very concerned about how he was going to go "down stairs" in a bed.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I quickly corrected myself and told him that he would get to the second floor by using an elevator. Whew. The tears ceased.  A smile ensued, thinking about dinosaur puzzles, Lego’s, and Magna-Doodles that were ready for him to choose in the Bunny Room.

Children are literal people with active imaginations. Below are some hospital words that can be perceived by a child and some simple ways to explain them. They are adapted from a resource available throught the Child Life Council.