It’s common for a child to feel anxious before going to the doctor’s office. To be sure, even adults also get nervous before their appointments! Kids are anxious because they’re meeting a stranger who might give them a shot, which is not terribly painful but is certainly scary.

Luckily, there are steps you can take as a parent during the time leading up to the doctor’s appointment.

Help your child understand what to expect by reading books or role playing with toy doctor equipment. You can even let your daughter be the doctor for her stuffed animals! Do pretend check-ups by demonstrating listening to a stuffed bunny’s heartbeat, taking a tiger’s blood pressure and checking her favorite bear’s temperature. If your child has older siblings who are not afraid of the doctor, encourage them to talk about their experience and reassure their little sister that nothing bad will happen.

If your child expresses fear about going to the doctor’s office, be sure to validate these feelings: “I know it isn’t fun but I’ll be by your side the whole time.” Simply telling your child not to cry is ineffective and can even make you seem less caring, according to Donald Shifrin, a physician who is the spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics.

At the appointment, stay by your child’s side and remain calm. He will see that you are not nervous and will likely feel more comfortable. You could also bring a favorite toy or stuffed animal to provide additional comfort.