Medical play

Medical play is exactly what it sounds like: play with real medical equipment and often dolls, which allows children a non-threatening way to learn about and familiarize themselves with medical procedures, equipment, hospitals, doctors and nurses.

Through medical play, children can give voice to fears and misconceptions about their hospital experience that they may be unable to express verbally. It is an invaluable tool to help kids of all ages, but should always be done with adult supervision and feedback.

Infants

• Will look at, handle, mouth, and generally become familiar with medical equipment.

Toddlers

• Continue to handle, explore and play with equipment.
• Will use medical tools in normal toddler play.
• Might begin to get nervous when medical equipment is introduced.
• Are able to act out experiences by playing "doctor".

Preschoolers

• Will re-enact medical events on dolls or stuffed animals.
• Might engage in fantasy play with medical themes and actual equipment.
• May play aggressively or as a catharsis. Medical play is most effective when children direct and control the play.

School-age children

• Explore medical equipment and themes, which allows children to gain insight into the procedures and roles of staff and work through feelings within a controlled environment.
• May listen to stories, which can be used to describe medical experiences.
• Can create medical art, which gives them an opportunity for expression, creativity and control using medical equipment in non-medical way; for example, using syringes for painting, tongue depressors for picture frames.