I started writing this post in April 2020 and titled it “The One Toy Every Child Could Use Right Now.” I was considering how children were certainly needing to utilize play to gain some understanding of the new COVID-19 virus and the significant changes it was (and is still) making to all of our lives. I knew having a play medical kit around would be essential for children to be able to play through their uncertainties and anxieties about the global health crisis. Unfortunately I never finished the post but I’ve circled back to it because despite the fact that COVID is here to stay and we’ve had almost three years to become familiar with it–that doesn’t mean that our fears (both ours and our children’s) about it are completely gone. COVID aside, children can and will always benefit from having a simple medical kit in their arsenal.
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Ranging from a simple and affordable (<$13) to a more comprehensive, realistic, and play-inspiring (though not necessarily expensive) DIY version, a children’s medical kit (also called a doctor’s kit or doctor’s play set) for pretend play is something I highly recommend for every child’s toy collection. I tend to prefer tools for children that are as close to the real thing as possible (like this stethoscope or real nitrile gloves–depending on their age, of course). Children aren’t easily fooled and I think you’ll notice a different quality and depth to their play with a more realistic kit than something that’s cutesy or more closely resembles a toy.
David Elkind, Ph.D. explains in his book The Power of Play,
“When we think of play therapy, we often associate its use in the clinic with troubled children. But all children use play therapeutically as a way of dealing with stress.”
Most children experience some level of stress around even the most routine medical/dental visits, procedures, and immunizations. Most children will know an adult (maybe even a parent) who becomes ill or injured, or needs a surgery or other significant medical procedure. Having an easily accessible medical kit will support your child in exploring and bringing to light themes that can be difficult to put words to.
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In Child Development: A Practitioner's Guide, Douglas Davies, MSW, Ph.D. reminds us,
“Even though the preschooler changes his identity in play, the play almost always reflects psychological themes and issues that are salient for the preschool child: the imitation of adult behavior; caretaking; practicing of parental, gender, and occupational roles; concerns about body damage and physical vulnerability; and mastery of danger.”
Themes of illness, injury, death, and the fragility of the human body concern most of us to some degree throughout our lives and children are no different. Their strategies for coping with and examining these themes, however, are usually less verbal than ours and often centered around play.
In his excellent book Playful Parenting, Dr. Lawrence Cohen, Ph.D. discusses how, after receiving an immunization, a child may be interested in coming home and playing a game where they are the one giving the shot. He explains,
“The play shot might be pretend, but the need for emotional recovery is real. The child chooses this fantasy game because she wants a hand with her genuine feelings about the actual shot. This isn’t just play for fun (though the child may have lots of fun with it); it is play with a purpose. The purpose is to go through the incident again, but this time letting the scary feelings out–usually through giggles. That’s why a child likes to play this kind of game over and over and over.”
If your child seems particularly interested in the kit after it’s presented, you can support them in going deeper with their play by providing them with access to:
-baby dolls (Miniland sells diverse, anatomically correct dolls)
-books about the body (a different post entirely!)
-an ambulance (I’d suggest removing the battery for your own sanity)
-child sized masks (doll sized too) –especially if your child is learning how to wear a mask (I know some preschools are still requiring them)
[Even if your kids don’t want to play with it now, let it sit on the shelf fully stocked and see if they circle back to it… you might be surprised!]
I’m curious to hear if you’ve ever noticed your kiddos using play to work through their worries about illness or injury. Have there been any toys or other objects your child has used in their play? Anything that surprised you? Any new ideas you’re inspired to implement in supporting this type of play?
I’d love to hear from y’all!
Note: If your child has experienced trauma and/or you notice and are concerned about serious, recurring themes in your child’s play that don’t seem to be shifting, consider seeking out support from a qualified mental health professional.