Lola Goes to the Doctor Picture Book Lessons and Activities

Lola is a Yorkshire terrier who is proud to be a certified therapy dog. She uses the skills she learned in doggy therapy training at elder centers, preschools, classrooms, and bookstores. Although she is very brave there are still some things that make her nervous, like going to the doctor. Going to the doctor with Lola will help children face their own fears. Our Lola Goes to the Doctor Lessons and Activities are a fun companion to the picture book.

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Standard topics for Lola Goes to the Doctor Lessons and Activities:

Going to the doctor
Empathy/Theory of Mind: Imagining how others feel and think
Exploring new situations
Connecting with Literature

Objectives for Lola Goes to the Doctor Picture Book Lessons and Activities:

To show students how to handle difficult feelings like being nervous.
To explain and explore what happens in a doctor’s office.
To connect literature with critical thinking skills.
To present the concept of being patient in a positive way.

Discuss what it means to be nervous.
Talk about times when you were brave.
Play Feel Your Feelings: Some children connect their feelings best with words, others like colors or drawing or music. This activity is for those kids who like different textures. After all, when describing how feelings how often are the words “smooth” or “prickly” used. Children can make these texture people that help describe and integrate their emotions. Make texture people and explore the feelings: brave, nervous, kind, friendly.

Literature Discussion Questions:

What was the reason for Lola going to the Doctor?
How can you take care of yourself to stay healthy?
Where did the Doctor use a stethoscope to listen to Lola’s body?
Where is your heart?
What do your lungs do?
Name the other parts of Lola the Doctor checked. Locate these parts on your own body (add other body parts to be located – making it more complicated depending on the skill level of child/children).
Why did the Doctor give Lola a shot? What kind of shots do you get?
What are other reasons why you might go to the doctor? How can a doctor help you?
Has a Doctor ever made you feel better? How?
Why was Lola nervous? Patient? Afraid? Brave?
How did she act when she felt these things? -What makes you feel nervous or patient, afraid or brave?

Sesame Street: Elmo Visits the DoctorJoin Elmo on his first trip to the doctor's office! This fun-filled video will help preschoolers learn that going to the doctor can be fun!
Splat the Cat Goes to the Doctor Splat the Cat can’t wait to go to the doctor for a checkup! That is until his friends start talking about all the scary things a doctor’s visit can mean. But Splat conquers his fear of the doctor’s office and learns it isn’t so bad after all.
Doctor and hospital preschool activities, games, and crafts. This theme is all about doctors, nurses, and hospitals! As children build literacy, develop vocabulary, practice math concepts, and participate in dramatic play and movement activities, they also gain confidence in relation to their own medical experiences.
Doctor Activities & Fun Ideas for Kids from Child Fun
Educator Resources for Going to the Doctor: Why should you go to the doctor when you’re not hurt or sick? In this movie, you’ll learn about checkups and what goes on in a pediatrician's office.