Play doctor or dentist at home, with each other as well as with dolls and stuffed animals. Give your child a “checkup” with a toy stethoscope and a tooth exam with a mirror and toothbrush—then let her do the same for you.

Prepare your children for shots and medicine by giving them to the dolls and stuffed animals first. If a shot is coming her way, explain that shots don’t actually hurt any more than a small pinch.

If you have time (and your child isn’t ill, of course), plan a special outing for after the doctor’s or dentist’s appointment. Use this as the carrot—“Guess where we’re going today after the doctor? The Children’s Museum!”