ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the intersection of spirituality and everyday human life. It considers the impact of ill-health upon an individual's sense of spiritual wellbeing and how those involved in healthcare might recognize and respond to the spiritual needs of their patients. The chapter also considers the ways in which the experience of play may enhance or encourage spiritual growth and wellbeing. It is important to separate the two concepts and to accept that, whilst spirituality or a spiritual awareness may be inherent in all human beings, the decision to express and explore this aspect through a particular faith system is a choice made by some individuals but certainly not by all. The healthcare play practitioner promotes the value of play and playfulness for the facilitation of making and maintaining connections a central feature of a sense of personal spirituality. The study of children has established that play is a powerful space for the exploration and consolidation of complex information.
