Encouraging Childhood Play And Social Interactions Improves The Progress Of Critically Ill Pediatric Patients

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 10 Oct 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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By encouraging childhood play and social interactions, Child Life Specialists at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore identify the progress and improvement of critically ill pediatric patients.

Both Child Life Specialists at Sinai Hospital specialize in helping pediatric patients and their families cope with hospitalization and navigating the healing process. The specialists concentrate on educating the patients, reducing stress and anxiety, providing normal or home-like activities and experiences which are needed for growth and development. The specialists also assist with creating opportunities for children to express their feelings and to bolster their self-esteem and independence. All of these activities support the pediatric patients in their recovery process.

The Child Life Program at the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai serves both the 21-bed Pediatric Inpatient Unit and the 9-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Services are provided in the playroom and at the bedside for those patients too ill to participate in the playroom activities.

Source: LifeBridge Health

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