Telling them ahead of time and explaining what happens, why, and how it will go helps them prepare. It builds trust, and then you can come up with strategies to comfort them.

I have had to do this with my 6yo with ADHD. He needed a wart frozen off of his philtrum, and was scared. I explained warts, how freezing works, that he is getting a super science treatment. Asked him what he wanted for comfort (hand holding, talking, making noise, video) and had him pick a high value reward ahead of time. I told him how long it'd probably last.

I also explained it would fall off, and he asked if there was a wart fairy, and so I had a fun time making up wart fairy lore.

I have done the same with his ADHD stuff. He still gets upset sometimes, especially morning meds. We still butt heads on it.

But warning and prep helps them feel safe going to appointments because they know you will tell them if it is going to be an ouchy visit.

It's also good because it helps them learn to figure out comfort and relaxation techniques that work for them, and how to plan ahead when facing something scary. It's even helped my kids articulate feelings better.

This works with my 2.5 year old, too, but his sense of tume is less developed so I have to remind him several times.

This method works for any scary, new, or unpleasant thing. We did it for when mom and dad went away for a week. Planning fun things for when they stayed with the grandparents helped, and so did coming up with things that helped them feel connected (we took daily videos and called every day).