Play is about much more than fun
For a child, play is more than fun. Play is how children learn. While playing, children learn how to interact and be social with others. They also learn about the world in general.
Being at the hospital is disruptive to a child's life. Play is one way to reconnect a child to their home life. The more a child can play, the happier the child will be. Happiness promotes recovery.
Play has other benefits
Play can distract a child from pain and worry. Play can also help a child get used to the new people and things they will see at the hospital.
Many hospitals have child life specialists who run play programs and play with kids. Ask your child's nurse about this. Using play, a child life specialist can help a child understand more about the hospital and their condition.
As a child becomes more comfortable being at the hospital, they will become more cooperative and less anxious.
Play is also important because it can help a child regain confidence and build self-esteem.
Suggested toys for children aged 6 to 8 years
Younger school-age children may enjoy the following toys and games:
- books
- puzzles: 20 to 75 pieces
- dolls and doll houses
- construction toys, cars and trucks
- Lego
- pencil and paper games such as Tic-Tac-Toe
- board and card games
- electronic games (ask your child's nurse about this)
- space toys
- arts and crafts such as paper, paints, crayons, markers, glue, scissors, clay and Play-doh
- dramatic play
- school play
- grooming items
- collecting items such as stickers, stamp, and baseball cards
Suggested toys for children aged 9 to 11 years
Older school-age children may enjoy the following toys and games:
- word games
- board games
- books and magazines
- models
- electronic games (ask your child's nurse about this)
- computers
- puzzles: 75 to 275 pieces
- building sets such as Lego
- recorded music
- more challenging arts and crafts
- paper, pens, markers
- journals
- collecting items
Safety alert
Children at this age are becoming independent but do not always pay attention to safety. Kids at this age are also easily distracted. These kids need supervision.
Children at this age can also be influenced by peer pressure. They may do things against their usual judgement.