Effective pediatric first aid requires adapting your approach to the child's developmental stage.
Infants (0-12 Months):
Assessment Challenges:
- Cannot verbalize pain
- Limited mobility
- Subtle signs of distress
- Parents crucial for history
Approach Strategies:
- Keep parent in sight
- Warm hands before touching
- Assess feet to head
- Watch for behavior changes
- Use soothing voice
Key Considerations:
- Crying may be reassuring
- Quiet infant may be sicker
- Check fontanelle (soft spot)
- Temperature instability
- Feeding changes significant
Toddlers (1-3 Years):
Behavioral Considerations:
- Extreme stranger anxiety
- Limited vocabulary
- "No" is favorite word
- Magical thinking
- Parallel play stage
Effective Techniques:
- Let them hold comfort object
- Demonstrate on parent/doll first
- Use simple words
- Distraction techniques
- Quick examinations
Common Challenges:
- Won't cooperate
- Can't localize pain
- Regression common
- Tantrums under stress
- Clings to parent
Preschoolers (3-5 Years):
Developmental Stage:
- Better language skills
- Wild imagination
- Fear of body damage
- Beginning logic
- Asks "why" constantly
Communication Tips:
- Explain simply
- Be honest about pain
- Use proper terms
- Let them help
- Praise cooperation
Special Techniques:
- "Magic" bandages
- Letting them choose
- Story telling
- Deep breathing games
- Sticker rewards
School Age (6-12 Years):
Capabilities:
- Understand cause/effect
- Can follow instructions
- Want to be brave
- Peer opinion matters
- More body awareness
Approach Methods:
- Explain procedures
- Give choices when possible
- Respect modesty
- Include in decisions
- Acknowledge fears
Adolescents (13+ Years):
Unique Challenges:
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Body image concerns
- Privacy needs
- Peer pressure
- Independence desires
Effective Strategies:
- Treat more like adults
- Respect autonomy
- Confidentiality issues
- Include in treatment
- Address directly