Logan Reid
A hospital stay can be a scary and overwhelming experience for children, filled with unknowns in an unfamiliar place. There are, however, several ways to help children stay calm and patient during their time in hospital. Child life specialists are professionally trained to support children and families through therapeutic medical play, pre-surgery preparation, and other initiatives. Parents can also help children stay calm by distracting them with arts and crafts, games, and toys, as well as by explaining the situation to them and keeping them involved in discussions about their diagnosis and treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Keep them entertained | Use arts and crafts, slime, silly putty, fidget toys, bubbles, magic wands, etc. |
| Provide comfort | Offer hugs, let them sit on your lap, or lean against your shoulder. |
| Maintain a calm environment | Adjust the temperature, lighting, smell, or sound with the help of staff. |
| Distract them | Use simple distractions like a Snoezelen, a device that projects images. |
| Relaxation techniques | Counting backwards from 99, breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, etc. |
| Socialization | Maintain their routine and provide opportunities for socialization with others their age. |
| Communication | Give clear and honest explanations about diagnosis, treatment, and hospitalization. |
| Familiarity | Bring their favorite toys or blankets to make them feel safe. |
| Reward | Offer an appropriate reward for being patient and calm. |
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What You'll Learn
- Distract them with arts and crafts, slime, silly putty, bubbles, or scavenger hunts
- Use breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques
- Prepare them with medical play and allow them to make simple choices
- Bring familiar items like blankets, toys, or a sound machine
- Maintain their routine as much as possible
Distract them with arts and crafts, slime, silly putty, bubbles, or scavenger hunts
Arts and crafts are a great way to engage your child's body and distract their mind during a hospital stay. Gather a box of assorted scraps for creative play, including child-safe scissors, glue, and colourful paper. You can let your child free-range with their creativity or assign them a project. Camp Quality's 'Happiness Hub' is a great resource for project ideas.
Slime and silly putty are fun and tactile ways to keep your child entertained and calm in a hospital setting. These sensory toys can help distract from scary or overwhelming experiences. Bubbles are another excellent option, as they not only provide entertainment but also help children regulate their breathing when they are nervous.
Scavenger hunts are a brilliant way to keep kids calm and engaged during a hospital stay. With the charge nurse's permission, set up a hunt that can be done in the hospital room or across the whole ward. Hide coins, baubles, or small toys and write a list of clues. This activity can provide hours of amusement and a sense of adventure.
Hospital Puppet Playdates, offered by Camp Quality, are another way to fill the time and bring laughter and positivity to your child's hospital stay. These puppet visits ease children's anxiety and provide a fun distraction from the challenges of treatment and isolation.
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Use breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques
Breathing exercises and muscle relaxation techniques are powerful tools to help children stay calm in hospital. Firstly, bubbles are a great way to help children regulate their breathing when they are nervous. Bubbles also provide a fun distraction from the hospital environment.
Breathing exercises can be further enhanced by encouraging children to count. This can be counting breaths, counting backwards from 99, or counting while slowly breathing out. Counting provides a focus for the child and helps to distract from worries.
Guided meditation videos and audio can also help children control anxiety and reduce stress. This can be combined with muscle relaxation techniques. Children can be taught to tense and relax their muscles in a step-by-step way. They can start by bringing their shoulders up towards their ears, noticing the tight feeling, and then letting the muscles go floppy, observing the heaviness. This can be repeated for different muscle groups, helping the child to relax physically.
Yoga is another effective method to calm children in hospital. It combines breathing and muscle relaxation techniques with physical movement, providing a holistic approach to stress reduction. Parents can also participate, making it a positive bonding experience.
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Prepare them with medical play and allow them to make simple choices
A hospital can be a scary place for children, with unfamiliar surroundings, strange equipment, and procedures that can be uncomfortable and scary. However, there are ways to help children feel calmer and more relaxed in this environment. One effective method is to prepare them in advance with medical play, allowing them to become familiar with medical concepts and procedures in a comfortable, non-threatening way. This type of play gives children a sense of control and mastery over their situation and can help them develop coping skills for their hospital stay.
Medical play can be adapted for children of all ages and abilities. For younger children, it might involve bringing home some medical play equipment, such as stethoscopes or otoscopes, for them to explore and become comfortable with. Older children can benefit from acting out medical scenarios with dolls or puppets, allowing them to control the pace and process. This can help them understand what to expect during their hospital stay and can be a fun way to involve the whole family in preparing for an upcoming procedure.
Child life specialists recommend giving children choices whenever possible, as this empowers them and gives them a sense of control in an uncertain environment. These choices can be simple, such as which ear the doctor looks into first or what sticker they want to wear. Even infants and toddlers can benefit from having choices, such as bringing familiar comfort items from home or choosing between a hug or kiss from their caregiver.
In addition to medical play and providing choices, there are other ways to create a calm and comfortable environment for children in the hospital. This might include adjusting the temperature, lighting, or sound with the help of staff. Bringing familiar items from home, such as blankets, toys, or comfort items, can also make the hospital room feel safer and less overwhelming.
By combining medical play, offering simple choices, and creating a soothing environment, caregivers can help children feel calmer and more prepared during their hospital stay. These strategies can reduce anxiety, provide a sense of control, and make the hospital experience more positive and manageable for young patients.
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Bring familiar items like blankets, toys, or a sound machine
A hospital can be a scary and unfamiliar place for children, filled with unknowns and uncertainties. It is important to help children feel safe and calm in such an environment. One way to do this is by bringing familiar items from home, such as blankets, toys, or a sound machine. These familiar items can provide comfort and help children feel more at ease in an otherwise intimidating setting.
Blankets from home can offer a sense of security and familiarity, especially if they are a child's favourite or have a special meaning to them. They can be a source of comfort and help children feel warm and cozy in a hospital environment, which may be cold and clinical. Toys are another excellent way to keep children calm and distracted in the hospital. Bringing a beloved teddy bear or a favourite doll can provide comfort and a sense of familiarity. Additionally, toys can serve as a means of expression for children, allowing them to act out their feelings and process their hospital experience through play.
Sound machines or white noise machines can be particularly helpful in creating a calm and soothing atmosphere for children in the hospital. Hospitals can be noisy and overwhelming, with various sounds and activities going on. A sound machine can help block out background noise and provide a sense of peace and tranquility. It can also help children fall asleep more easily, especially if they are used to sleeping with background noise at home.
In addition to these items, there are other ways to create a familiar and calming environment for children in the hospital. Adjusting the lighting, temperature, and smell of the room with the help of staff can make a difference. Creating a comfortable and relaxing space can help children feel more at ease. Furthermore, maintaining a child's routine as much as possible is essential. Sticking to their regular meal and sleep schedules can provide a sense of normalcy and reduce anxiety.
Bringing familiar items like blankets, toys, or a sound machine can be a simple yet effective way to help children feel calm and comfortable during a hospital stay. These items provide comfort, familiarity, and a sense of security, making the hospital environment less intimidating and more manageable for young patients.
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Maintain their routine as much as possible
Maintaining a child's routine is essential to keeping them calm in the hospital. Children thrive on routine, and the familiarity of a schedule can provide comfort and security in an unfamiliar place. Here are some ways to achieve this:
Keep a consistent schedule
As much as possible, stick to the child's regular daily schedule. This includes mealtimes, bath time, playtime, and bedtime. If the child is used to a particular sequence of activities, try to replicate that in the hospital setting. Consistency can help reduce anxiety and provide a sense of normalcy.
Bring familiar items from home
Surround the child with familiar objects and comfort items. This could include their favourite toys, stuffed animals, blankets, or pillows from home. These items carry the scent and feel of home, providing a sense of security and comfort. They can also serve as distractions and help the child feel more connected to their everyday life.
Create a calming environment
Work with the hospital staff to adjust the child's surroundings to match their preferences. This may include adjusting the lighting, temperature, or sound. For example, if the child prefers a dimly lit and quiet environment, ask the staff about adjusting the lights and using a sound machine to create a soothing atmosphere.
Stick to bedtime routines
Bedtime routines are essential for children and can help them fall asleep more easily in an unfamiliar setting. Bring their favourite bedtime storybooks, stuffed animals, or blankets. Encourage them to imagine a calming and safe place, as this can help them relax and prepare for sleep. You can also suggest breathing exercises or simple meditation techniques to calm their mind and body.
Encourage physical activity
Physical activity can help children maintain their energy levels and release any built-up tension or anxiety. If possible, take them for a walk around the hospital grounds or encourage them to participate in some simple exercises or dances in their room. This can also be a fun way to pass the time and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Provide educational activities
If the child is used to a structured learning environment, bring educational activities, books, or games that align with their school curriculum. This can help them stay engaged and feel a sense of continuity with their regular school routine. It also provides a sense of accomplishment and can boost their mood.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to be honest with your child about what to expect at the hospital, and you can also offer physical comfort through hugs or letting them sit on your lap. You could also try explaining the situation, for example, by saying: "Waiting is hard, but the doctors and nurses are busy helping a lot of other kids feel better too."
Arts and crafts are a great way to distract your child and let them express themselves. You could also try setting up a scavenger hunt with the permission of the charge nurse, or bringing in their favourite toys. It's also important to give your child some control by allowing them to participate in age-appropriate decisions, such as choosing which ear the doctor looks in first.
Try to maintain your child's bedtime routine as much as possible, and avoid doing anything too active for 90 minutes before bed. You should also avoid caffeinated drinks in the evening, and try not to nap during the day. If your child is struggling to sleep, they could try keeping their eyes open in the dark for as long as they can, or counting backwards from 99 to distract from worries.
It's important to give your child the opportunity to express their feelings, and to reassure them that they are not responsible for their diagnosis. You could suggest writing and recording their thoughts and feelings, or try some relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or muscle relaxation.
