Children often come to hate a trip to the doctor's office, and a hospital visit can be a frightening -- even traumatic -- experience. But when parents take special care to describe medical procedures, children are usually more accepting and less fearful.

Pediatricians who have dealt with worried children advise parents to be honest with them. Tell them if they're going to get a shot, but explain why it's necessary. "We use terms that children are able to understand, so they don't have misconceptions about what's going to happen," says Susan Smith, a child-life specialist at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. For children with chronic illnesses, teaching them some of the medical terminology makes them feel medically savvy, which promotes trust and a sense of ownership in their care.

Also be careful not to color the discussion with negative feelings. Children are greatly influenced by their parents' reactions, so describing a blood test as painful or nasty can rub off on the child.

Preparing a child for a hospital stay also helps allay fears, but in emergencies that's not possible. Children upset by a hospital visit may show changes in behavior, such as aggression or troubled sleep.