How Do You Incorporate Play into a Pediatric Patient's Treatment Plan?

As a pediatric sleep and toddler behavior consultant, I often use play to create positive associations with new routines. For example, when toddlers struggle to transition to independent sleep, I recommend playing "The Kissing Game." The child earns kisses if they stay quietly in their bed/room and wait for their parent to return. Each time the parent returns, if the child was quietly resting in bed, they earn a kiss. If the child calls out or gets out of bed, the parent reminds them to remain in bed quietly to earn a kiss, and that they will "try again." Over time, this game not only makes bedtime less stressful but also empowers the child to embrace their routine. By integrating play into the sleep and behavior plan, we turn a challenging and stressful situation into a fun and collaborative experience for the whole family.

As a pediatric pain physician, play is an incredibly powerful piece of a holistic treatment plan. It can be a powerful tool for addressing pain and restoring a sense of normalcy. Play helps children reconnect with activities they love, which they may have abandoned due to their pain.

One memorable example involved a young patient with chronic abdominal pain who loved drawing and painting but had stopped creating art because of her condition. After discussing her interests during a multidisciplinary team meeting, we designed a treatment plan that encouraged her to restart art on a small scale as part of her therapy. Alongside medical management, physical therapy, and mindfulness exercises, we included short art sessions as a way to redirect her focus from her pain and gradually reintroduce joy into her daily life.

Initially, she was hesitant and expressed fear that engaging in art might worsen her symptoms. To address this, we started with five-minute sessions, emphasizing that the goal wasn’t perfection but simply rediscovering her love for creating. Over time, these small steps became longer, and she began to anticipate her art time as a highlight of her day.

This integration of play not only helped her cope with pain but also restored her confidence and gave her a sense of accomplishment. Incorporating play in treatment plans personalizes the treatment and reminds us all that our patients are kids first.

Incorporating play into a treatment plan for my patients and families is important for patients' emotional and social development. As a pediatrician, I often use play to help children understand and cope with their medical conditions. For example, I might use dolls or stuffed animals to explain a procedure or treatment, or I might encourage a child to draw or paint to express their feelings about their illness. Play can also be used to help children develop coping skills and build resilience. By providing opportunities for play, I can help my patients feel more comfortable and safe in the medical setting and support their overall well-being.