Play is being advocated as a fundamental element of children's healthcare by University of Cambridge researchers. The latest report prepared for Starlight, a charity promoting the benefits of play in paediatric care, argues for the inclusion of playful activities in the government's upcoming 10-year plan for the NHS. The researchers suggest that the integration of play would address both emotional and psychological aspects of health.
The call for play is backed by evidence from over 120 international studies, highlighting the effectiveness of incorporating play into health systems. It is noted that play, although recognized for its benefits, remains inadequately applied across healthcare services.
Dr. Kelsey Graber, leading the report, stated, “Play and child-centred activities have a unique capacity to support the emotional and mental aspects of children’s healthcare experiences, whether in hospital or during a routine treatment at the GP. It won’t directly change the course of an illness, but it can humanize the experience by reducing stress and anxiety and enhancing understanding and comfort.”
Adrian Voce from Starlight added, "With the government promising to create the healthiest generation of children ever as part of its new long-term health plan, this compelling evidence of the benefits of play to children’s healthcare is very timely. We encourage ministers and NHS leaders to make health play teams an integral part of paediatric care."
The report identifies five key ways in which play can benefit young patients: reducing stress during medical procedures, aiding emotional expression, enhancing dignity and agency, fostering connections, and preserving a sense of childhood. However, it is noted that the benefits of play can vary among individuals, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in health settings.
Despite the wide-ranging support for the benefits of play, key areas for research remain under-explored, such as its role in mental healthcare and its impact on infants and adolescents. The report emphasizes the necessity for broader academic focus and professional involvement in these domains.
Dr. Graber concluded by stating, “It is not just healthcare professionals, but also policy leaders who need to recognize the value of play. That recognition is foundational to ensuring that children’s developmental, psychological, and emotional health needs are met, alongside their physical health.”
The report, titled "Playing with children's health?", will be available on the Starlight website.