Related Experiment Videos
Play in health care settings: a challenge for the 1990s
1Ohio State University, Columbus.
Insights
Unstructured play can help children cope with hospitalization by allowing them to express feelings and gain control. However, evolving hospital practices and views on play present challenges to child-centered therapeutic play.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Therapeutic Play
Background:
- Historically, unstructured play was recognized for mitigating hospitalization's negative effects in children.
- Key mechanisms included emotional expression, role reversal, and control over environment and actions.
- Shifting perspectives on play and pediatric care have altered the landscape for therapeutic play.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the evolving context of play within pediatric hospitalization.
- To identify challenges to child-focused play in healthcare settings.
- To explore the implications of these changes based on historical precedents.
Main Methods:
- This study is a conceptual analysis based on historical review and synthesis of existing literature.
- It examines changes in play theory, hospital policies, and pediatric illness trends.
- The analysis focuses on the impact of these changes on the practice of therapeutic play.
Main Results:
- Contemporary hospital environments and policies may inadvertently restrict opportunities for unstructured, child-led play.
- Evolving views on childhood and healthcare influence the integration and perception of play as a therapeutic tool.
- Past events and historical shifts provide context for understanding current challenges.
Conclusions:
- The traditional benefits of unstructured play in pediatric hospitalization face new challenges.
- Adapting therapeutic play strategies is crucial to address the evolving healthcare environment.
- Further research is needed to ensure child-centered play remains a viable intervention.
Abstract:
Play, particularly unstructured and nondirective, has been believed to lessen the negative impact of hospitalization through expression of feelings, reversal of roles, and control of materials, concepts, and actions. Over time, however, changes in perspectives on play, hospital policies and practices, and the nature of illnesses of children have combined to influence the context for this form of play. Challenges to child-focused play and possible implications are derived from past events.