Hi
I am really hoping that you can help me and provide your expertise and professional opinion on the following.
As part of a third year University module on Therapeutic Play I have conducted an observation of two children.
Child L is a girl, 3 years 4 months who has a history of illnesses, has been admitted to hospital for various medical conditions such as chest and respiratory infections. Her treatment is ongoing and is under a consultant for a heart murmur.
Child H is a boy , 4 years 3 months who is relatively fit and well and never been hospitalised.
They are cousins and have regular contact with each other. At the time of the observation Child L had chickenpox (which were no longer infectious)
Aim of the observation was to observe child L using medical play and how the children interact with each other.
During the observation child L bandaged a doll and attempted to give her teddy bear some pretend medicine. Child H was playing with stuffed animals on his own, not interacting with child L to begin with. Child L asked H to give teddy some pretend medicine which he eventually did after coercion.
At that point the mother of Child L entered the room and tried to administer calamine lotion. Child L became anxious and refused saying ‘no,no,no’.
The mother left the room, several minutes later child H placed his arm around the shoulder of child L and said ‘its ok L it doesn’t hurt and it’ll make you feel better’. Child L waited a little while and then shouted to her mother ‘ok, mummy you can put it on’.
I have looked at ‘Play for Sick Children’ by Catherine Hubbuck and how medical play helps reduce anxiety for children undergoing medical procedures. The interaction between the children seemed to also help reduce the anxiety therefore I am also considering the peer influence/support element of this relationship.
I would really appreciate any thoughts and or suggestions.
Many thanks
Elizabeth
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