Teddy Bear Clinic Helps Children Discover A World Of Hope And Support

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear turn around; Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear touch the ground. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear come and see the Teddy Bear Clinic for you and me.

It is that time of year again, when boys and girls and teddy bears gather with hospital staff on the 3rd floor Auxiliary bridge of Texas Children’s Hospital. During the annual teddy bear clinic, children are given the opportunity to act out the roles of various health care staff such as doctors, nurses, therapists and technicians. Children will pretend to perform a variety of tests, exams and therapies to diagnosis the bear’s symptoms and heal its body. Children learn through play, and this clinic affords them the opportunity to learn and practice coping skills that they use while in the hospital. “Hold still bear and blow the bubbles,” children will say as they give the bear his injection. “The X-ray machine is just taking pictures! You won’t feel it, and the camera does not touch you,” a child will explain as they lay the bear down on the x-ray machine. “Which color cast would you like?” a child will ask demonstrating the choices a child has in the hospital environment. All these statements are ways is which children use play to discover a world of hope and support. The Texas Children’s Teddy Bear clinic is an annual event to celebrate national Child Life Week. This event celebrates our patients and families and how the intimate world of play is used to encourage children’s learning and support children’s coping. This event will be held on March 27 from 10:00 - 12:00 a.m. Bring your teddy bear. All teddy bears welcome!
Author
Diane Kaulen, Child Life Specialist