ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of puppet play in medical settings with consideration given to procedural puppets with the inclusion of medical equipment, such as a nasogastric tube or venous access devices, and used by health care professionals to demonstrate the medical or nursing interventions. Procedural play, including the use of puppets, has been used in medical settings to inform children about medical and nursing interventions through puppet play and simulation. Engaging in play, especially puppet play may enable therapeutic and educative ways to communicate and connect with children in the medical setting to optimize the health care experience. Puppets have been used to creatively enhance communication, to educate and support children in medical settings, and to simulate child patients for nursing students. The chapter concludes with a therapeutic puppet play activity where the child may decorate and create his or her own puppet, which in turn provides a resource to facilitate communication.
