The Importance of Play in Pediatric Nursing

Medically fragile children can face medical operations and procedures throughout their lives which can create anxiety or fear. By incorporating play techniques into health practices, pediatric nurses and caregivers can lessen those feelings. 

The Benefits of Play in Pediatric Nursing

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes the importance of play for a child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. When pediatric nurses implement play into their practice, they are helping improve a child’s emotional well-being, providing effective pain management, giving space for healthy development, and building and maintaining trust.   

Examples of Play Techniques 

Medical 

In medical play, pediatric nurses will show the specific procedure they will perform on the patient, in a fun way. This can be illustrated through role play where nurses will use dolls or stuffed animals to show medical procedures and offer toy medical kits where the children can learn about the different medical tools.  

Therapy

Therapeutic play is defined as specialized activities that developmentally support and facilitate the emotional well-being of a pediatric patient. Play therapy includes the following:

• Art therapy to encourage children to draw, paint, and engage in other creative activities
• Music therapy to soothe and distract children
• Storytelling therapy to address medical themes or hospital experiences 

Each of these therapy techniques can help the patient express their feelings and process experiences, soothe and reduce stress, and help them understand their situations so they feel less alone.

Diversion 

Diversionary play is a recreational activity that helps prevent boredom and facilitate a sense of normalization. Diversionary therapy can include the following:

• Playing with toys and games like board games, puzzles, or electronic games
• Using interactive technology like video games and tablets 
• Trying outside activities like planting a garden, cloud gazing, or a backyard picnic 
• Incorporating basic play like blowing bubbles to change focus from the medical procedure

How to Incorporate Play & Recreation with Medically Fragile Children 

For medically fragile children, specifically those on bedrest, pediatric nurses can find ways to safely incorporate play and recreational activities into their daily routines. For infants, nurses can give patients highly stimulating simple toys like bubbles and mirrors. Toddlers can color and play with toy cars. Elementary-aged children can play with remote-controlled cars, create art, and tell stories. Teenagers can play with musical instruments or try journaling. 

Play in pediatric nursing is vital for a child’s mental and physical well-being. Pediatric Home Care Nurses at Thrive SPC offer 1:1 care, where they make a difference in children’s lives through compassionate care that incorporates play.