When your child needs an EEG, it’s completely normal for them to feel anxious. The unfamiliar equipment, the idea of having electrodes attached to their head, and the pressure to stay still can all be a lot to handle. That’s why prepping for the procedure through pretend play or role-playing is such a helpful tool. By making the process more familiar and less intimidating, you’re not only helping your child understand what to expect but also giving them a chance to feel calm, confident, and more in control of the situation.
In our latest Child Life Q&A, Annie Gunning, Hope’s Child Life Specialist, demonstrated how to use common household items to create a mock EEG setup at home. This hands-on activity allows your child to explore the process in a safe, playful way, helping them feel more comfortable and prepared when it’s time for the real thing.
Missed the live session? No worries. We took notes, and like any good partner, we’re willing to share.
What is the role of a Child Life Specialist, and how has this evolved through time?
Child life specialists are experts in child development and family dynamics, helping them navigate the emotional and psychological impact of hospitalizations, diagnoses, and life-changing events. They focus on supporting the child and the whole family, using their knowledge to ask, “How can we make this experience better for everyone involved?”
Child life services have roots as far back as the 1920s when hospital volunteers used play to help children cope. But the profession really came into its own in the 1960s, thanks to Emma Plank. Her groundbreaking book, Working with Children in Hospitals, provided a blueprint for addressing the unique needs of children during hospital stays and is still considered foundational in the field today.
Over the years, child life has grown far beyond hospital playrooms. Today, child life specialists provide support in a wide variety of settings, tailoring their care to meet the needs of both patients and their families. Whether offering emotional guidance, helping siblings adjust, or educating parents about medical procedures, child life professionals create a more supportive healthcare experience for everyone involved.
And now, let’s fast forward to Annie’s role as the Child Life Specialist at Hope for HIE. Her main objective is to help children and families navigate medicalized life by empowering and supporting both children and their caregivers and fostering the ability to advocate for their needs while simultaneously reducing stress, pain, and anxiety. This often looks like support for patients and their families facing surgeries, tests, procedures, diagnoses, and hospitalizations by offering preparation, creating personalized coping plans, providing education, fostering creative expression, and incorporating medical play.
Why is prepping for an EEG such an important step in the process?
Role-playing is a great way to help children feel more comfortable with something they might be nervous about, like an EEG. When you play through the procedure ahead of time, it takes away a lot of the fear of the unknown. They can get a sense of what will happen, which helps them feel more in control when it’s their turn. And because they get to practice in a relaxed, fun environment, they’re less likely to be overwhelmed by the real thing.
This type of prep doesn’t just calm nerves—it also gives them a chance to ask questions, share their feelings, and understand the process better. The more they know, the less they’ll fear. It’s a chance to turn a stressful situation into a more positive, even playful, one. By practicing in a way that feels safe and fun, they are more likely to approach the actual EEG with a calm and confident mindset.
How can parents use household items to create a mock EEG setup at home?
This step-by-step activity uses everyday items to create a mock EEG setup at home, letting your child experience the process in a playful, non-threatening way. Read through the process here, but also know that you can download these directions by clicking the link below!
Step 1: Build the EEG machine
Step 2: Create the electrodes
Step 3: Apply the electrodes
Step 4: Apply the head wrap
Step 5: Attach the wires
Step 6: Role-play the brain wave recording
How can this demonstration be modified for older age groups?
For older children or teens, this activity can be a chance to engage in a more open and honest conversation about what to expect during their EEG, with an option to dive into the technical aspects if they’re curious.
If your child is interested in the science behind the procedure, explain how EEGs measure electrical activity in the brain through electrodes that send signals to the machine. You can let them take charge of setting up the mock “machine,” wiring the “electrodes,” and discussing how the process works. Framing it as a hands-on experiment can help them feel empowered and informed.
For those who might not want to engage with the technical details, use the activity to talk about what will happen during the EEG in a calm, straightforward way. Encourage them to ask questions and express any concerns they have. Let them know it’s okay to feel nervous and that you’re there to support them.
This version of the activity shifts from play to dialogue, making it adaptable for older kids while still reducing anxiety and building confidence. Whether they’re curious about the “how” or more focused on the “why,” you’re helping them feel prepared in a way that meets their needs.
What resources are available to help provide and learn more about fostering peer relationships?
You asked for resources, and we got ’em! Of course, some lend themselves more to certain age groups than others. Remember that every family’s situation is unique, so for more tailored support and resources, reach out to Annie by connecting in at HIE.Support.
Watch the full recording, along with our other Child Life Q&As, on Hope for HIE’s YouTube channel under the Child Life Series playlist, and don’t forget to download our DIY EEG Prep instructions, seen above!
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