Play in Hospitals: Real Life Perspectives

This reflective book explores how practitioners make use of plays developmental benefits and therapeutic healing properties to aid the child's healthcare journey. It builds on an understanding of child development and the impact of traumatic experiences, and relies on an acceptance that play is the foundation of everything. It is an important resource for healthcare play specialists, playworkers, children's nurses, occupational therapists, and more.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 10 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This reflective book delves into the captivating world of how practitioners harness the developmental advantages and therapeutic healing properties of plays to support the healthcare journey of children. It expands and enhances the knowledge base underlying the practice of play in hospitals, offering valuable insights and perspectives.

The work of health play specialists and child life specialists in hospitals across the UK and worldwide demands a profound clinical understanding, enabling them to skillfully and precisely prepare children for procedures. This book builds upon an understanding of child development and the profound impact of traumatic experiences, empowering children to face their deepest fears and emotions without hesitation. It also relies on the fundamental belief that play is the cornerstone of a child's life, providing them with a safe, natural space where strength and resilience can flourish.

This new edited text delves into the vast scope, depth, and skills of these trained healthcare practitioners who provide play for babies, children, young people, and adults. It places play squarely at the center of most clinical settings, exploring and developing the theoretical foundation that underpins this practice through a combination of reflective essays, case study chapters from the UK and around the world, and the emerging use of play in diverse contexts.

Drawing on the collective expertise of over 30 play specialists, child life specialists, play service managers, lecturers, and researchers, this book stands out as a unique resource for pediatric practitioners and settings. It offers invaluable training and practical guidance to healthcare play specialists, playworkers, children's nurses, occupational therapists, and many others.

In conclusion, this reflective book is a testament to the transformative power of play in healthcare. By exploring the ways in which practitioners harness its benefits and therapeutic properties, it contributes to improving the well-being and outcomes of children during their healthcare journey. It serves as a valuable resource for professionals working in pediatric settings, empowering them to create safe, nurturing environments that promote play and support children's emotional and physical healing.

Weight: 574g
Dimension: 239 x 163 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032186269