A hospital admission can be a worrying time for parents and children but it is important for everyone concerned that you keep things as normal as possible. Play is a very normal familiar activity, which helps children settle in quickly.
Before the admission
- Prepare for the admission, if you can, by visiting the ward a
week or so before. Talk to your child about where he will sleep,
eat, and where you will stay and look at the playroom and
schoolroom. Remember to talk about the coming home day too. Some
hospitals run pre-clerking sessions or pre-admission clubs where
play specialists are involved in giving the children just the
right amount of information. - Read hospital stories together.
- Play “hospitals” with the teddies and dolls at home.
When you arrive
- Find out if there is a qualified Hospital Play Specialist and
what the play program involves, - Use the playroom activities to create a structure to your child’s
day. This helps you both, as the days can seem very long. - Discuss with the Play Specialist and your nurse, what your child
already knows about the procedure or treatment and when further
preparation through play will take place. - Do not be afraid to ask questions or repeat yourself. Hospital
Play Specialists are very good at explaining things simply and can
direct you to the right people if they are unable to help. - Ask for playthings to use when the playroom is closed.
- Use the hospital gardens or outdoor play area, just as you would
your local park, to encourage physical confidence, let off steam
and stimulates all the senses. - If you are worried your child will be upset if you have to leave
the ward, ask the Play Specialist if she can stay with your child
or involve them in playroom activities. - Keep to normal routines whenever you can and be firm about the
same things you would be firm about at home. It helps young
children to feel safe. - Never lie to your child. Your child needs to be able to trust
you and avoiding the truth that the needle might hurt, for
example, will not help him or her prepare for the event. - Even very sick children benefit from playing but it is necessary
to keep activities simple and short. Being around children who are
playing happily is also very enjoyable for sick children. - Ask the hospital Play Specialist if she can help with
distraction during procedures. Novel toys, pop up books etc. help
the children think about something else. - Turn the TV, video or computer off and encourage your child’s
involvement in normal play activities. Save the TV for times when
your child needs to rest or the playroom is closed.
When you go home
- Take good care of yourself and don’t push yourself to get on
top of the housework right away. - Encourage your child to play “hospitals” again,
perhaps with a few real hospital things. - Read hospital stories, and maybe make your own hospital story
book. - Be prepared for some short term behaviour changes such as
regression in toilet training or clingy behaviour as your child
adjusts to their experience.
By Judy Walker, Hospital Play Specialist, BA(Hons)
