Children’s Perspectives on Play in Hospitals Through a playful lookingglass

This book explores play in hospital from the perspective of children and young people, reframing hospitalisation through the eyes of children and listening to what children have to say about playful interactions with Health Play Professionals. Drawing on rich ethnographic data, this book amplifies children’s voices and highlights their lived experiences of playful interactions with Health Play Specialists and Play Workers in hospital settings. It introduces a novel framework to understand how these interactions occur directly and indirectly, and shows how children navigate hospitalisation and how play can shape these experiences, looking at the uncertainty children feel and their need to promptly discern the intentions of approaching adults; the gradual construction of illness narratives and meaning-making processes, which require clear and empathetic communication; a sensory analysis of hospital experiences and the importance of sensory awareness in understanding children’s perspectives; the challenges of extensive waiting times, which children navigate through play, choice, and autonomy; the significance of relationships formed with toys and material objects in a highly unfamiliar environment; and the empowerment and joy derived from uninterrupted free-play when faced with adversity. It advocates for a shift towards a more child-centred approach that prioritises children’s autonomy, choice, and emotional well-being, highlighting the need to develop empathetic clinical practices that foster environments which protects and encourages play, particularly therapeutic play. Contributing to the growing academic conversation on the complex and multi-dimensional role of play in healthcare settings, this book emphasises the importance of adopting a children’s perspective and a rights-based approach to healthcare delivery. It is an important read for all those concerned with children’s experiences of hospitalisation, including play and healthcare professionals, playful allies, nurses, paediatricians, occupational therapists, psychologists, designers, innovators, multidisciplinary students, and social scientists. It will also be valuable for those seeking to develop a holistic approach to paediatric healthcare.