Before a visit to the doctor
A short cartoon about practising a question, with your child as the hero. Watch it together at a calm time, then talk.
An example story beginning for this moment. It is not a cartoon of your own story.
Cartoons are made with AI. You preview each one before your child sees it. Automatic checks can miss things.
Let's imagine
Example, made with AI
Mia (4) sits on the sofa with a seashell in her pocket. Tomorrow is the doctor's visit. "What happens first?" she asks. Mum answers honestly. "First we check in and wait. Then a nurse says hello. I don't know every step, so we'll ask the doctor together." Mia nods. "Can I practise my question?" She says it twice, holding Mum's hand. The shell stays in her pocket.
The characters in this example are made up. Your child can be the hero, with or without a photo.
What happens in the story
In the example above:
- Mia asks what happens first.
- Mum says what she knows, and what she doesn't know, and that they will ask the doctor together.
- Mia practises her question out loud, holding Mum's hand.
- She keeps her seashell in her pocket. The story doesn't say how the visit goes.
Talk-after card
Here are three gentle questions to talk about after this example. Best watched together, then followed by a chat or a game.
- What did Mia ask Mum?
- What did Mum know? What did she say you could ask the doctor?
- What would you like to ask the doctor, or bring with you? You can tell me, show me, or skip it.
Use the ones that feel right. Skip any you like.
What a cartoon can and can't do
- Zubby does not replace the preparation your child's health team gives.
- Fears are common. If fear keeps stopping your child from sleeping or doing everyday things, talk to your child's doctor.
- A cartoon can't tell your child what will happen at the visit. The doctor and the nurse know the steps and can explain them.
- Every family has its own pace.
- Each Zubby cartoon is made to be talked about together. It can't do the work of routine, patience or your child's doctor.
- If you are worried about your child's sleep, eating, fears or behaviour, talk to your child's doctor, nurse or teacher.