It was time to do a makeover of the home corner. To build on children’s experiences of going to the doctor and dentist, and family members being in hospital, we suyggested a hopsital – there was an immediate rush of energy in the group, and we were able to supply or make most of the requirements the children decided were needed. It is always interesting to note the level of knowledge about health and technical procedures that the children display in a play setting. Computers are now quite ordinary for children so Claudia’s comment to Claire that the password was wrong and they couldn’t get into the computer to check the patient’s files was just part of the storyline being developed.
Foundational numeracy and literacy skills are routinely practised within this scenario, and general knowledge is shared and extended.
Role playing experiences that may be painful or challenging is a valuable part of this play – as is the opportunity for lots of different roles to play, from a passive patient having things done to them, to a director of nursing or the visiting specialist or the visiting sister bringing flowers. We see good opportunities to develop emotional and social skills in this sort of play. Also of course, children can be the powerful medical people and treat the adults and give them a diagnosis and treatment and discharge them when they are better.