Good preparation, positive experiences and confident and supportive adults can help to prevent and overcome these fears.The preparation need not just precede a specific visit but can be incorporated into everyday activities.
Nursery staff can help by providing suitable toys and encouraging role play. Situations can be acted out with soft toys or dolls. For example, 'Teddy is feeling poorly today - what shall we do? What if Teddy still feels poorly? Do you think he might need to go to the doctor?' Observing the child's dramatisation of Teddy's trip to the doctor may give the child an opportunity to express any fears about what will happen. This gives nursery staff a chance to dispel any unfounded fears and to offer reassurance indirectly - that is, to Teddy.
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