ABSTRACT
In response to the developmental and psychological sequelae hospitalized children exhibit during and beyond healthcare encounters, group play programs run by Certified Child Life Specialists have existed in children’s hospitals for the better part of a century. Although research on the structures and effects of these programs is limited at this time, this chapter is drawn from narrative interviews with 35 Certified Child Life Specialists about their practices for and perspectives on group play in healthcare settings. Their responses highlight an intentionality to the preparation, provision, and play components of group play programming in hospitals that is seen to render an array of intra- and interpersonal benefits for pediatric patients, their families, and the staff involved in caring for them. Grounded in an understanding of play as an essential component of childhood wellness, group play programs in hospital settings can support children in accomplishing individualized goals related to development and function, therapeutic expression, socialization and connection with others, normalization, and recreation, and coping with healthcare experiences using medical play. Thus, these programs are an effective investment in children and families, creating opportunities for functional achievement and coping skills development that can improve health outcomes across the lifespan.
