3 year old needs to start wearing glasses

[Mrs198]

My 3 year old son needs to start wearing glasses and I would like to prep him before we go to pick them to help make this a positive thing rather than a scary thing for him. I'm looking for book recommendations that would help a 3 year old understand why it's good to wear glasses. I've been reading online reviews for some books I have found but there are negative reviews on some of them and not sure if they would be suitable for his age.
Also any other tips to help prepare him would be much appreciated.

I used to work in an independent opticians and they’d have a basket of books for children when they were waiting. One of them was Arlo Wears Glasses, the kids loved this book from young ages of 2 up to about 6.

You can take the prescription anywhere for glasses as he will be able to get them covered on NHS some frames are an additional fee, it maybe worth taking him to a smaller independent so it’s more personal for him and less overwhelming than some of the chain opticians which can be busy.

Good luck!

Forgot to mention the Arlo Wears Glasses book is interactive and is pop up/ comes with glasses etc. So it’s fun and light hearted.

My son got glasses almost as soon as he turned three. We were very matter of fact about it - the eye doctor says you need glasses to make your eyes stronger and he accepted that. One or two hiccups where he threw them but wearing was non negotiable (like taking medicine). Sorry I can’t think of any books but good luck, just be straightforward and don’t back down over wearing them. Possibly a sticker chart and cool treat if needed. A year on my son now asks for them if we forget in the morning so he must have realised he sees better with them.

It might well not be an issue- he won’t have any negative ideas about glasses and will probably prefer wearing them to not. Tiger do some funky glasses cases cheaply - I bought one and took along to the optician when my 8 year old collected their first glasses and that worked well.

My youngest had glasses since he was 2.5 years old. He put them on and loved them on the spot. Just make sure he’s happy and relaxed when you select them (i bribed mine with a doughnut)