Make Them Feel Important! Build and Foster

Hi Everyone,

I once read Dale Carnegie's book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, and I found it to be an invaluable resource. The techniques shared in the book are not only applicable in various aspects of life but also highly relevant in the pediatric world, where we are constantly trying to establish rapport and build positive relationships with our patients, parents, caregivers, and more.

Everyone Wants to Feel Important!

One technique that I have used extensively with the little ones on my caseload is to "make the other person feel important." This approach has proven to be incredibly effective.

Let me give you an example:

There was a little girl on my caseload who was hypersensitive to touch. I decided to engage her by telling her that my baby doll was feeling cranky and that the only thing that seemed to help was a gentle massage on her arms and hands. I asked the little girl if she would be kind enough to help me massage the baby doll so that she would quiet down and take a nap.

And you know what? It worked like a charm!

Important Enough To Help

By involving the little girl and making her feel important and capable of helping, she became enthusiastic and ready to assist. As she grew more comfortable with the activity, I slowly introduced it as a way to help her own hands feel better.

Boom! Success!

How To Apply This in Your Practice

So here's a quick tip: Coach parents on the importance of helping their child feel important and needed, especially during challenging activities. The easiest way to achieve this is by asking the child to help them or assist in some way.

Added Benefits

By employing this technique, we empower children, boost their confidence, and create a positive and cooperative atmosphere. It's amazing how a simple shift in approach can make a significant difference in the outcomes we achieve with our young patients.

Build Relationships, Foster Cooperation

Remember, making someone (of any age) feel important is an excellent way to build connections and foster cooperation. Let's continue to prioritize this approach in our interactions and see the positive impact it has on the children (and the parents) we serve.

That's all for now,

Laura