Play Therapy

Play therapy is a method of psychotherapy used with children to help them resolve emotional traumas. When I visit the HUGS children in the hospital, in a way I am making use of this therapy. I wheel in my bag of toys and interact with the sick kids. Having a chronic illness and staying in the stuffy, hospital rooms are no fun for them, and having time to play with toys or engage in activities with volunteers help to relieve them of thoughts about their sickness.

Kraft, Irvin A. “Play Therapy.” Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 5 July. 2009. http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0315630-00.

Hospitals aren't the most fun places for young children or their families to be. When you're little, all you want to be doing is running around, exploring, and playing with other children. Hospitals are foreign places and feel nothing like home. Being hospitalized, and being ill can produce stress in anyone, especially children. Studies have proved that hospital experiences have the potential to negatively impact a child's development, such as inhibit growth and development or slow down rehabilitation and recuperation. Hospitalized children can be prevented from developing stress, anxiety, or depression through play. Play is a way to help reduce the stress of these ill children, and distract them from the emotional and physical burdens of being sick.

"Educational Play Therapy : About Educational Play Therapy." The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) : Welcome to the Royal Children's Hospital. 11 Dec. 2008. Webmaster. 16 July 2009 http://www.rch.org.au/ept/index.cfm?doc_id=1175.