title: Facilitating play in hospitalized handicapped children: the design of a therapeutic play environment.
abstract: The development of a play environment is described, including a play structure that was designed to facilitate symbolic play in hospitalized, handicapped children. The effect of the structure on play was tested on handicapped children aged 2 to 13 years who were verbal and able to use at least one hand. Twenty-five pretest and 25 posttest observations were conducted and data were coded into play and nonplay categories. Results indicated decline in aimless wandering and nonplay activities, with a concomitant increase in both partial and symbolic play. The implications for play among hospitalized, handicapped children are discussed.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006743:Hospital Bed Capacity, under 100; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D010988:Play and Playthings