Strategies to improve therapeutic communication between healthcare professionals and children. Clear and appropriate communication with children is important for both the healthcare provider and the patient. These communication skills help build rapport, ease your child's anxiety, and put fear to rest. Mansson and Dykes (2004) stated that fear complicates a child's life, in a clinical context the healthcare professional can be the one who removes that fear through the use of effective therapeutic communication. How can caregivers improve communication with a child? There are several strategies that can be used to effectively establish and provide communication to children. The approaches discussed are aimed at patients at developmental stages ranging from: toddlers (2-3), preschool age (4-5), and school age (6-12). Some strategies to improve communication include the use of non-threatening language, nonverbal communication, participation (e.g., games and visual aids), as well as a patient-centered approach. Each of these tactics will be explored and combined to overall improve therapeutic communication with a child patient. Language is an important factor to consider when communicating with a child. The way in which information is provided must ensure the child's understanding and alleviate any uncertainty. The use of non-threatening, age-appropriate language is explored in Stock, Hill, and Babl's (2012) article which outlines effective language techniques for communicating medical equipment and procedures to children. children. Using understandable explanations for medical equipment and procedures can help a child understand something that is foreign to them and that may seem threatening at first glance. Press releases...... middle of paper......scared patient. Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand, 17(7), 20-22. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA266344844&v=2.1&u=monash&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=4f4e1fd514b5462da18183d3f93a8475Nilsson, S., Enskär, K., Hallqvist, C., & Kokinsky, E. (2013). Active and passive distraction in children undergoing wound dressings. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 28(2), 158-166. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/10.1016/j.pedn.2012.06.003 Chambers, S. (2003). Using nonverbal communication skills to improve nursing care. British Journal of Nursing, 12(14), 874-878. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/docview/199491876?accountid=12528Récoché, K., & Abu-Arab, A. (Eds.). (2014). NUR1001 Professional and Academic Communication. (2nd ed.) Sydney: Pearson Australia