How to Prepare a Child for Waiting at Appointments 

Parenting Perspective 

Children often find waiting most difficult when they are caught unprepared. Arriving at a doctor’s surgery, dentist, or other appointment without any prior conversation can lead to their natural energy spilling over into restlessness, fidgeting, or a desire to run around. By setting clear expectations beforehand, you help your child feel guided and secure, which significantly reduces the likelihood of challenging behaviour. 

Communicate Clear Expectations 

Use simple and calm language to explain the situation while you are still at home or in the car. This mentally prepares them for the test of patience before it begins. 

• ‘We will need to wait quietly until it is our turn.’ 

• ‘In the waiting room, we use our soft voices and stay seated.’ 

Provide a Simple Time Frame 

Children cope much better with waiting when they have a rough idea of how long it will last. Vague timelines can feel endless to a child. 

• You could say, ‘We might wait for about 15 minutes.’ 

• For older children, a visual timer app can be helpful, while a simple counting game repeated a few times works well for younger ones. 

Prepare Quiet and Engaging Activities 

Bring along a few quiet activities to keep their hands and minds occupied. This transforms the experience of waiting from something passive and empty into something active and engaging. 

• Pack a few favourite books, colouring pages, or small toys. 

• Play whisper games, such as ‘I spy something blue’ or ‘Let us count the chairs.’ 

Offer Reassurance and Encouragement 

Build your child’s confidence before you even walk through the door. Praising them in advance for the behaviour you want to see can be a powerful motivator. 

• ‘I know you can wait calmly, just like you did last time.’ 

• ‘When we are done, I will tell you what I loved most about how you waited.’ 

For example: 

Parent: ‘At the doctor’s surgery, we will wait until our name is called. What is our plan for what we can do while we wait?’ 

Child: ‘Read my book.’ 

Parent: ‘Exactly. That is a great idea to help the time go quickly and keep us calm.’ 

Spiritual Insight 

Preparing children for patience in advance reflects a key Islamic principle: sabr is not merely a reaction to a difficult moment, but a proactive approach to life that involves readiness and calm discipline. 

Steadfastness in Obedience 

Teaching a child to wait calmly is an act of goodness and obedience, and Allah Almighty promises to reward those who do good. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Huud (11), Verse 115: 

‘And show patience, for indeed, Allah (Almighty) does not waste the reward of the benevolent people.’ 

This verse reminds us that even small, sincere acts of patience, like sitting calmly during an appointment, are valued and rewarded by Allah. 

Guiding Children with Gentleness 

The prophetic way is to guide and teach with ease, not harshness. This is especially important when setting behavioural expectations for children. 

It is recorded in Al Adab Al Mufrad, 245, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Teach and make things easy, and do not make things difficult. When one of you is angry, let him remain silent.‘ 

This hadith teaches us that expectations should be set gently, preparing children for a challenge without making it feel like a burden. By setting these expectations before you arrive, you turn a simple wait into a training ground for self-control. Your child learns that preparation and calmness make even difficult moments manageable, a lesson rooted deeply in both family life and faith.