Deep and steady breathing can help reduce pain and gain self control. Teach this by asking the child to breathe out, and let go of the tension or scary feelings with each breath. Then the child is told to breathe in deeply and slowly. Older children can breathe in and out for the count of three. Younger children can be taught to breathe deeply and blow the pain away by blowing bubbles made from liquid soap.
Parents can help by participating and making it fun.
Distraction is a good way to keep a child's mind from pain. T alking, video games, breathing exercises, television, music, pop-up books, reading and being read to are all distractions. Children can use their imaginations to change from being anxious and frightened to being relaxed and calm. Absorbing and focusing the child's attention on a familiar past activity, or telling or reading a favorite story can help. Storytelling absorbs children's attention.