Arts Activities for Children at Bedside

Whether in the hospital, clinic, home, or hospice care setting, healthcare experiences can be stressful for anyone, but can be especially so for children. However, with appropriate support, children can survive and even grow from such experiences. We now know that the arts can play a significant role in that support. As the arts and health movement extends to all corners of the globe, artists working with children in healthcare settings are eager for ideas for activities.
Arts Activities for Children at Bedside draws upon Judy Rollins' 30+ years experience in arts in healthcare with children, their families, and caregivers. The book provides a sampling of activities that artists, parents, and other caring individuals can facilitate with children at bedside. The intent of the book is not to be an exhaustive text of activities, but rather is to serve as a means to promote awareness and understanding of the exciting possibilities that exist. From this awareness and understanding, artists can develop their own repertoires that consider their talents and skills and the needs of the children they serve.
An Introduction includes topics such as guidance for selecting activities, maintaining infection control, facilitating the activities, and celebrating children's artistic achievements. Activities are presented in nine content areas:
01-Saying Hello activities are used to engage interest, break the ice, and provide an opportunity for the artist to begin to know the child and give the child an opportunity to get to know the artist.
02-Bringing the Outside in activities bring the world outside to the child's bedside.
03-Images presents visual arts activities as well as examples of the impact of images in the healthcare environment upon children.
04-Words introduces a variety of writing activities and storytelling.
05-Movement presents bedside dance and movement activities.
07-Light offers photography as an artistic medium and light as an art itself.
08-Around the World looks at a sampling of multicultural arts activities.
09-Going Through the Day consists of activities that caring individuals--parents, nurses, child life specialists, play specialist, social workers, chaplain--can incorporate into the child's daily care and medical regimes.
A Final Note offers some closing thoughts on the arts and person centered care. Two appendices follow:
Appendix A-A Selection of Ethnic and Religious Festivals offers a month-by-month listing of ethnic and religious holidays from around the world.
Appendix B-Art Materials and Projects for Children and Other High-Risk Individuals provides essential safety information about art materials and techniques and suggested substitutions.
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