'Im H A P-P Y - I know I am, I'm Sure I am' - Remember that theme tune? 'Only When I Laugh' was made during 1979 - the pre-political-correctness period of comedy broadcasting - it was great.
The title was of course the answer to the question 'Does it hurt?'
Back then, children going to hospital were separated from their parents, put in mixed wards with adults and with little or no toys.
Thankfully now, we understand and respect the needs and rights of children. We understand how and what helps children cope better. We work towards creating opportunities to provide information, play preparation and play facilities in most Children's Hospitals and wards.
As a Hospital Play or Child Life Specialist, I have from time to time, seen families shy away from preparing their child for surgery or an invasive procedure. Our role on a ward is to meet with families, discuss our role, and explain the part play preparation has for their child.
So when you're asked by a famliy to not be involved, that they will handle how their child is prepared ( or not) we respect their wishes. After this happened (only a handfull of times, thank God) some of the post-procedure difficulties these families experience included:
If your child knows what to expect (if they are prepared), they are more likely to be co-operative, cope better and gain a sense of achievement. They will be more trusting and feel safer.
Preparation gives children a sense of control.
You can help prepare your child at home before you visit the hospital, we created the 'Going to Hospital iPhone app to help you do this. You can also use books and play 'hospital' with a play doctor kit with teddies and dolls.
Going to hospital is one of life's challenges - help your child begin the journey of mastering this challenge.
The other reasons we created the Going to Hospital app were to:
http://www.hometrain.ie/gth/
or scan the QR code below:
The title was of course the answer to the question 'Does it hurt?'
Back then, children going to hospital were separated from their parents, put in mixed wards with adults and with little or no toys.
Thankfully now, we understand and respect the needs and rights of children. We understand how and what helps children cope better. We work towards creating opportunities to provide information, play preparation and play facilities in most Children's Hospitals and wards.
As a Hospital Play or Child Life Specialist, I have from time to time, seen families shy away from preparing their child for surgery or an invasive procedure. Our role on a ward is to meet with families, discuss our role, and explain the part play preparation has for their child.
So when you're asked by a famliy to not be involved, that they will handle how their child is prepared ( or not) we respect their wishes. After this happened (only a handfull of times, thank God) some of the post-procedure difficulties these families experience included:
- Loss of trust - child refused to look at or talk to parents.
- Fear of hospital staff - as the child wasn't prepared, anyone coming into the room could be assumed was taking them for surgery or to cause pain or harm.
- Loss of apetite - child can refuse to eat.
- Fear of post-op medication - child can refuse to take medicine.
If your child knows what to expect (if they are prepared), they are more likely to be co-operative, cope better and gain a sense of achievement. They will be more trusting and feel safer.
Preparation gives children a sense of control.
You can help prepare your child at home before you visit the hospital, we created the 'Going to Hospital iPhone app to help you do this. You can also use books and play 'hospital' with a play doctor kit with teddies and dolls.
Going to hospital is one of life's challenges - help your child begin the journey of mastering this challenge.
- Help children cope with pain, with relaxation techniques, guided imagery relaxation story and pain scale
- Advice and tips to encourage children of all ages to take medicine
- Practical information for parents
- Distraction game and distraction techniques for painful or uncomfortable procedures
- Activities and colouring pages
http://www.hometrain.ie/gth/
or scan the QR code below:
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