Play, An Essential Coping Strategy for Hospitalized Children

When a child is hospitalized for a serious illness, they don't have as much of a say in what they can and can’t do.

They can’t decide how long they’ll stay in the hospital. They have to take medicine when they’re told. Even if they want to wear their normal clothes, they can’t.

Can you imagine if you couldn’t decide for yourself?

It’d probably feel overwhelming and stressful. Hospitalized kids face this challenge every day.

Still, one creative activity helps kids cope with life in the hospital – the power of play.

Meredith McCulloch, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, REAT, LPAT, Art Therapist, understands how crucial play to kids to help hospitalized kids cope.

“Play is how kids learn, communicate and process the experiences that have happened to them,” Meredith says. “Especially in and high-stress and unfamiliar environment like the hospital, play is an important way kids express themselves, provide a sense of control, and support typical development.”

Here are five ways Meredith sees play supports kids at the hospital.

5 Benefits of Creative Play for Kids’ Development and Wellbeing

1. Play can help kids regain a sense of autonomy and self-expression

“Kids have limited input and control over their medical stay and treatment,” Meredith shares. “Art therapy sessions can be a time when they experience a sense of agency and make decisions... Play is a natural form of expression for kids of all ages and cultures.”

2. Play helps kids build trust with hospital staff

Kids in the hospital may experience anxiety and be wary of hospital personnel entering their room.

The opportunity to engage in positive experiences with hospital personnel helps kids with adjustment to hospitalization, provides a sense of normalcy, and builds trust with their care team to build rapport.

3. Play helps kids cope with hospitalization and treatment

During Meredith’s sessions, she might help address a child’s concern with mood and anxiety, or shift their attention away from bothersome symptoms pain and nausea.

As kids play, she observes changes in their emotional regulation, engagement, and their affect. For example, their affect may brighten and they may become more talkative and less restless.

As kids often communicate stress through their behavior or play, therapists like Meredith also address concerns or misconceptions a child communicates about their treatment through play.

4. Play supports developmental milestones

Many seriously ill kids that Meredith supports may have missed out typical childhood sensory experiences.

They may be unable to eat by mouth or to take baths submerged in water because of central lines.

She explains how play during art therapy can help:

“When you miss developmental windows, it becomes harder to meet that need or develop that skill later. I found that introducing kids to sensors early on helps mitigate some of those sensory aversions they might experience later in life...”

She might give a child sensory toys like slime kits she receives through Starlight’s Toy Delivery program.

5. Play can help kids cooperate with their medical treatment

“If kids have opportunities to express themselves and experience a sense of autonomy, and if they feel like someone is listening to them and understanding them and accommodating their needs, they are generally more cooperative with their medical treatment.” - Meredith

Meredith notices a positive impact on the entire family as well.

Play is an essential part of care for kids at the hospital. It’s a crucial way for kids to express themselves, find a sense of control and feel less anxious.

Play programs are widely valued, but hospitals rely on donor support for resources for kids. Meredith receives toys through Starlight’s Toy Delivery program, which is completely free of cost to her and the family.

“I have had so many patients and families just not believe me, saying, ‘Oh, you can keep this? Really? And it's free?’ And, I had one kid say, ‘Well, this just made everything worth it.’ So it just becomes this lovely surprise for them that has been a silver lining in what's otherwise been an unexpected and scary experience.” - Meredith