Play can also be very beneficial to help children and young people post procedure. They may need encouragement to eat and drink which could involve a sticker chart and prizes or a teddy bear’s picnic, for example. They may need encouragement to get moving after surgery; the Wii works wonders here! Or enticing them out of bed with a favourite game or activity. They may have to stay in bed and therefore keeping them happy whilst immobile becomes the aim, so activities taken to the bed and adapted for the position they are in is what is called for. They may be upset about situations that have occurred and therefore require further work and preparation before further procedures can take place. Listening to the child is key, working out the issues and then using play and plans to overcome them.
We are very lucky to have many resources at our disposal; painting, craft activities, games, baby toys, toddler toys, older toys, puzzles, DSs, PSPs, Wiis, DVDs, TVs, Play Stations, Air Hockey, Garden, Sensory Room, Soft Play Room and Classroom (with teacher).
Most of what we have has been kindly donated by the people of Peterborough.