The fear of needles is real. No matter your age. But they are a scary sight, especially when you’re five years old and sitting on an exam table.
For many children, even routine doctor visits can become stressful moments. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In “Jimmy Goes to the Emergency Department,” we see how a simple, thoughtful approach can help a child transition from anxious to calm—without forcing bravery or pretending the fear doesn’t exist.
The story offers a gentle blueprint. It teaches us how children can face their needle fear without tears.
Start with Honesty, Not Reassurance
It’s fairly easy to tell a child not to worry and “It won’t hurt.”
However, these promises rarely land. Kids can sense when something feels off.
So if you want your child to overcome the fear of needles, try the approach of the nurse in Jimmy’s story. You should acknowledge the fear: “Yes, sometimes needles do hurt a little, but let’s talk about what will happen.”
Honesty builds trust.
And trust keeps fear from growing.
Let the Child Ask Questions
In the book, Jimmy can ask questions related to needles, like:
“Do I have to get a shot?”
“Will it hurt?”
“Is that water?”
They may appear very insignificant questions, but they are not. This is how children make sense of uncertainty. Let them ask. Let them lead the conversation, even if the answers are simple.
When you let a child feel heard, you also help them feel in control.
And this is one way to reduce their fear of needles.
Explain Things Visually and Simply
Kids don’t need or demand detailed medical explanations. They need comparisons. In the book, Dr. Kumar compares stitches to sewing clothes. He explains anesthesia as medicine that “makes your skin go to sleep.”
That kind of language sticks. Use stories, toys, or examples to make scary things sound familiar.
Offer Choices, Even Small Ones
Jimmy doesn’t get to choose whether he gets stitched up. But he is told what to expect. And that makes all the difference.
When children are part of the process, even in small ways, such as choosing a Band-Aid, holding a parent’s hand, or deciding what toy to bring, it gives them a sense of control in a situation where they feel powerless.
Use Calm Adults as Emotional Anchors
In Jimmy’s story, the mother never dismisses his fear. She stays calm, kind, and clear. The nurse and doctor follow that same tone.
Children mirror adult energy. If the grown-ups stay steady, the child is more likely to regulate themselves.
End with Relief and Reward
At the end of the book, Jimmy gets a popsicle not as a bribe, but as a quiet reward. More importantly, he gets to say: “Dr. Kumar did stick needles into my skin… but I didn’t feel any pain at all!”
Let your child reflect on how well they did. Even a sentence like, “You were really brave to ask questions today,” helps shape their memory of the experience as something they overcame, not just something they survived.
The goal isn’t to make kids love needles. The goal is to help them feel less afraid—by offering honesty, space, choice, and support.
Jimmy Goes to the Emergency Department shows us that it’s possible. The tears don’t have to come. And even when children have to face a needle, bravery can still be the part they remember the most.