Spending a month introducing play to a children's ward in Kimberley, South Africa, proved to be a rewarding challenge. The hospital is twinned with John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where I work as a play specialist.
My role was to help Annelise, a South African nurse, implement the play techniques she had observed during a six-month placement in Oxford.
On arrival I was shocked to find that children, aged from birth to 12 years, spent the majority of their hospital stay in cots with no stimulation. Nursing staff did not encourage the children to interact with each other and have fun. Bright murals on the walls appeared to be the only attempt to ease the children's stay.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here