Play's Continuum of Needs

Abstract

Optimal healing for children in hospitals occurs when their developmental needs are considered as part of their overall treatment plan. One of the most pressing developmental needs for all children is the need to play, and this remains so even when they are confined to a hospital bed or face developmental delays or disabilities. This chapter examines the most basic components of implementing play programs in hospitals, such as the intentional creation of space for play, determining the best times for children to play, and exploring what types of play are therapeutic and possible in a hospital environment. The author presents a continuum that highlights foundational components of a therapeutic play program and explores a wide range of types of play, including examples that arise from a variety of cultures. Child life specialists and hospital play specialists are in a unique position to improve patient experiences and health outcomes by interacting with children using their primary language: the language of play.