Hospitalization, doctor appointments and healthcare experiences can be difficult for children of all ages. Unfamiliar faces, places, fear of the unknown and separation from family members can all increase a child’s anxiety level and challenge his or her ability to cope.
Play is one way children can work through fears and anxieties. Play allows children to express themselves in a way that is familiar to them. Medical play allows children to work out (or "play" out) their feelings or anxieties regarding medical experiences. Angry or aggressive feelings may surface during play. These feelings are a normal response and for the most part should be allowed and supported.
Suggested items to use
Medical play kits, available at most toy stores, contain the necessary equipment for children to participate in medical play. You may want to add items such as a stuffed animal or doll, BAND-AIDS®, cotton balls, tape, gauze, etc.
Ways you can help
- Allow your child to control his or her own play.
- Listen to your child’s play but try not to ask too many questions. Your presence can support his or her exploration.
- Encourage your child to use stuffed animals or dolls as "patients" rather than people. This helps keep the play safe and gives the child maximum freedom.
- Distract or comfort your child if the play might hurt your child or others.
Ways to provide medical play for your child by age
Infant
- Playing peek-a-boo with doctor hats and masks.
- Allowing your child to watch you play with medical equipment and dolls.
- Letting your child explore and play with medical equipment, for example stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs and BAND-AIDS.
Toddler
- Providing toy doctor's kits with added items such as BAND-AIDS and cotton balls.
- Playing doctor with dolls.
- Playing peek-a-boo with doctor hats and masks.
- Creating art collages with BAND-AIDS and other medical equipment .
- Letting your child explore and play with medical equipment .
- Reading books about healthcare experiences.
Preschool
- Playing with doctor kits and dolls.
- Using medical materials to make painting and collages.
- Painting with syringes.
- Letting your child explore and play with medical equipment.
- Reading books about healthcare experiences.
School-age
- Making sculptures from medical equipment.
- Using medical materials to make collages.
- Using syringes in water play.
- Making art with tongue depressors.
- Playing with doctor kits, real medical equipment and dolls.
- Reading books about healthcare experiences.
Adolescent
- Writing stories and poems about the healthcare experience.
- Making sculptures with casting material.
- Creating artwork and music with medical themes.
- Exploring with real medical equipment.