Big or small, new experiences can feel overwhelming for kids—especially when it comes to medical tests or hospital visits. One way to help is by creating a coping plan.
Think of it as a personalized guide that highlights what helps your child feel calmer, safer, and more in control when things feel stressful or tough.
Coping plans aren’t about making things perfect. They’re about giving kids tools and options so they feel ready for what’s ahead. Child life specialists, like our own Annie Gunning, often recommend them because they can make a real difference in how a child handles stressful experiences.
We know it can feel overwhelming to start from scratch, so we’ve put together some templates you can use. They range in appropriateness across different ages and stages, so whether you’re supporting a younger or older child, there’s a version that can work for them!
Younger Children
This coping plan is designed with younger children in mind, as it has more space for photos, drawings, and a few simple prompts.
School-Aged Children
This version adds more detail, with prompts that encourage kids to express their preferences, worries, and coping strategies in their own words. It helps build confidence, language, and advocacy skills during medical experiences.
Tweens & Teens
This version is a more mature and structured coping plan tailored for older children. It has more age-appropriate responses and space to reflect on their needs.
The first page, All About Me, gives kids a chance to share who they are and what matters most to them — plus, it’s an excellent way for medical providers to get to know your child beyond their diagnosis or treatment. On the back, the Coping Plan helps outline the steps, strategies, and comforts that work best for them.
You can take a look at this example to help guide you, too!
You can print them out to fill in by hand, or complete them digitally—whatever works for you. They’re simple, flexible, and meant to spark conversations that help kids feel more confident and supported.
Every child is different, and sometimes having a little extra guidance makes all the difference. Our Child Life Specialist, Annie Gunning, CCLS, GC-C, works with families to create individualized coping plans tailored to their child’s unique needs. If you’d like support in building a plan for your child, you can connect with us at HIE.Support or reach out to Annie directly at AnnieG@HopeforHIE.org.
HIE families also have free access to the SupportSpot app by Child Life On Call, which includes easy-to-use templates for creating your own coping plan. It’s another great tool to help children share their needs, practice coping strategies, and feel supported through new or stressful experiences.
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