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Medical College of Georgia
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Helpful Hints for Examining Young Children
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Avoid predictable conflicts if at all possible (e.g., separating a child from his mother).
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Alter your body language (voice, gaze, touch) to become as nonthreatening as possible.
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Maximize a child's cognitive ability and achievements to familiarize him with you and your procedures (e.g., if a child has appreciation of object permanence, you can play peek-a-boo or play at hiding one of your instruments).
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Maximize what a child enjoys doing to distract him (e.g., a child who enjoys manipulating small objects may be handed some colorful blocks while you listen to his chest).
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Avoid repetition of previous frightening medical experiences if at all possible or defer them to the end of the encounter.
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Make parents your ally (e.g. have the toddler's parent participate in the exam by holding the child in his lap and helping with distraction or play while you proceed).
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