Kristin Budney, Master of Science in Child Life student, Edgewood College

We had such a fun time at the Bright Club and Bright Circle Teddy Bear Clinic! We had so much fun exploring medical play and getting to be the doctors to our patients! All of the teddys had a great check up and were very brave! 

Medical play is a great way to create a safe space for children to explore their feelings and any anxieties or misconceptions they may have about medical experiences or equipment. It also gives the child a chance to be in control and gain mastery so that they can feel more confident next time they are in a medical situation. 

Medical play can also be an excellent way to start facilitating conversations about healthcare both theirs and yours.  When it comes to a parent’s cancer, kids often feel in the dark, wondering what happens at treatment and appointments. Medical play can help decrease anxiety and build confidence.  It also helps kids prepare for their own upcoming appointment and the big jobs they have to do at the doctor’s, such as sitting very still, taking deep breaths, and engaging in distraction and play during the hard part. 

If you weren’t able to make the Teddy Bear clinic, here are some ideas for how you can use medical play at home.

🧡  Have them grab their favorite stuffy to be the patient. 

🧡 Make a simple doctor's kit with bandaids, cotton balls, gauze, or other safe first aid items. 

🧡 Next time you go to an appointment, ask if you can bring your kiddo souvenir items from the office (a hair cap, gloves, plastic syringe, alcohol wipes, etc.). 

 🧡 Play with medical supplies, or make art with them! Get creative–they don’t always need to be used for “medical” purposes–whatever allows your child to explore and build familiarity.

Check out more great ideas from Children's Hospital Philadelphia: https://www.chop.edu/health-resources/medical-play