A social story for an injection or a blood test, with the reason for every line
It is over in seconds, so this story is short and is read on the morning. Every line is something you can make true in the room. The note beside each one says where it comes from.
8 pages: a cover for their photo and name, the story, a page for you, and picture cards to cut out. No sign-up.
1Today I am seeing a nurse. The nurse might give me an injection, or take a tiny bit of blood.
Why todayThe morning of is enough for most children. There is nothing to rehearse for days, and the days are where the dread grows.
2I might get to choose which arm.
Why a choiceGreat Ormond Street’s play team put choice first because it gives a child “an element of control over their situation”. Ask the nurse which arm, and let your child answer.
3My grown-up holds me, and we sing a song or read a book together.
Why “together”GOSH: “The key element with all distraction techniques is the connection between a child and an adult helping them, whom they trust.” You are the distraction. A tablet handed over is not.
4It is quick. It might sting for a moment. Then it is finished.
Why not “it won’t hurt”It is the one promise you cannot keep, and it costs you the next appointment too. Quick, a sting for a moment, and you holding them: all three are true.
5Afterwards we are going to .
Why fill this inGOSH suggest planning something good for afterwards, decided together at home. Talking about it on the way in is itself a distraction. It is not a bribe offered in the room.
When to read it
The morning of is enough. It is over in seconds, and a week of warning is a week of dread.
One sentence for you, on the day
“It is quick, it stings for a moment, and I will be holding you the whole time.”
The whole plan behind this story, with what to do on the day: What to do in the ninety seconds of an injection or blood test
Sources
The advice here is the same as on our injection and blood test page, whose three sources were read on 23 September 2026. If needles are already a real fear, the CARD system above has its own free checklists. Nothing here is medical advice.
The pictures come from The Sticker That Was Earned, one of our picture books. In the book, the child in them is yours.
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