Key points about playing while in hospital
- play is familiar and reassuring for your child
- being able to play while in hospital means your child can continue an aspect of their normal life
How playing while in hospital can help children
Play is familiar and reassuring. It's how tamariki make sense of the world around them.
In hospital, it helps tamariki to:
- learn and develop
- feel less anxious
- express their feelings and worries
- understand what is happening
- cope with treatment
It provides an opportunity for your child to make choices so that they can have a sense of some control.
Being able to play while in hospital means that tamariki can continue an aspect of their normal life.
Play areas in hospital
Many hospitals have play specialists who can give you suggestions about how best to prepare your child.
In the ward, your healthcare team will show you the playroom or play area. There will be toys, games, craftwork, books and other activities available. There will probably be a 'medical kit' for your child to play with. Playing with real or pretend medical equipment helps tamariki become confident with things that are usually unfamiliar to them. This can lessen feelings of fear.
What you can do:
- visit the playroom or play area frequently with your child
- enjoy some of the activities together
- help your child choose some items to take to their room if they are not feeling like playing in the playroom
Who are play specialists?
A play specialist is a person whose qualifications may include early childhood education, teaching and extra training so that they can meet the special needs of tamariki in hospital.
The play specialist's role
The hospital play specialist's role is to provide programmes and support for tamariki in hospital. The play specialist may provide activities that encourage creativity, exploration and learning. They may also provide sessions that prepare tamariki for procedures and treatments.
Play specialists can help prepare your child for treatment
Yes. The play specialist can go through a list of techniques and they can help you and your child to choose from the list and practise these before the treatment.
Find out about techniques to help your child with cancer treatment.
Techniques To Help Your Child With Cancer Treatment
Can the play specialist support my child during a treatment if I can't be present?
Yes. The play specialist knows how to use distraction during a treatment and a range of other techniques. Find out how to support your child before, during and after cancer treatment.
Supporting Your Child Before, During & After Cancer Treatment
Can the play specialist support me during my child's treatment?
Yes. You can ask the play specialist to stay with you while your child is having the treatment.
How the play specialist can help your child after their treatment
The play specialist can work with your child after the treatment to help them talk about the experience and their feelings.
What to bring from home
The hospital ward will have a selection of toys, games, books and other activities which you are welcome to use. It will also be comforting for your child if they can have some of their own things with them.
It is a good idea to bring your child's favourite toys, books and games into hospital. Mark or name your child's toys, books and games and keep them in the locker beside the bed. Speak to your nurse or play specialist if you would like any help from the play specialist at any time.
Acknowledgements
All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the clinical leader of the National Child Cancer Network.
