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Integration of Early Child Development and Care for Hospitalized Small and Sick Children: A Holistic Approach to

Abhay Gaidhane1, Manoj Patil2, Shital Telrandhe2

  • 1Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.

International Journal of Preventive Medicine
|June 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Play therapy significantly aids hospitalized children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Healthcare
  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Hospitalization is a significant stressor for children, impacting their emotional well-being and development.
  • Play is crucial for child development, offering a vital coping mechanism during stressful experiences.
  • Age-appropriate toys and play therapy can mitigate trauma and anxiety associated with hospitalization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing evidence on the effectiveness of play therapy for hospitalized children.
  • To assess how play therapy supports child development during inpatient stays.
  • To evaluate play therapy's role in managing hospitalization-related stress.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed with specific keywords related to play therapy and hospitalization.
  • Studies published within the last 10 years were prioritized.
  • Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to screen 125 initial articles, resulting in 31 studies for analysis.

Main Results:

  • Most reviewed studies confirm the efficacy of play therapy in hospital settings.
  • Play therapy effectively promotes cognitive, behavioral, and socioemotional development in pediatric patients.
  • Evidence indicates play therapy significantly reduces anxiety and stress linked to hospitalization.

Conclusions:

  • Play therapy is a valuable intervention for hospitalized children.
  • Dedicated play sessions should be integrated into pediatric healthcare protocols.
  • Incorporating play therapy can enhance recovery and overall well-being for young patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
Early child developmenthospitalizationparentingplay sessionsplay therapy

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