Children regularly see doctors and nurses in the early childhood years, even if it is only for immunisations and general checkups. Whether they find this experience scary or exciting, children may incorporate medical concepts into their play.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) asks children to take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing (3.2) and connect with people and places (4.4).
Learning environments
Set up a medical dramatic play area
Dramatic play helps children explore social and emotional concepts in their lives, like visiting the doctors or going to the hospital. Early childhood educators can set up a designated area for pretend medical play. Either set up a new area in your classroom or adapt your home corner so it becomes a doctor's surgery or hospital.
Add real-life or toy medical equipment. Contact local medical services and ask for donations of old equipment - you never know what interesting items they can provide!
- Clothing: white lab coats, scrubs, face masks, hospital gowns, name tags.
- Bedding: hospital blankets, cloths, towels, pillows.
- Medical equipment: stethoscopes, syringes, thermometers, x-ray images, bandages, slings, tweezers, tongue depressors, cotton balls, tissues, tape measures.
- Signs: posters, growth charts and eye charts.
- Office equipment: pens, notebooks, non-fiction books, clipboards, computer keyboards, telephones.
- Furniture: beds, desks, chairs.
Start a project
Children aged between three and five years at Darwin Elementary School in the USA participated in a project about medical facilities. Xiomara Sánchez writes about the investigation:
“The project began with a discussion about health. At this point, the theme was about the human body, nutrition, and exercise. The children made drawings in their journals that represented their knowledge related to body parts. We also created a display of books about a variety of topics related to health.
“Children began playing doctor. I borrowed an anatomy model from a science teacher to show children the internal organs and parts of the body. I was not sure how the children would respond to the model, and I was elated to see the excitement generated by the model. Suddenly, I was conducting an anatomy lesson for preschoolers, and all of them were listening attentively.
“I placed the model in the dramatic play area so that the children could manipulate the different organs and body parts. We also placed a doctor’s kit and an anatomical teaching doll—a doll that is used to show children what is inside of our bodies, the internal organs—in the same area. Most of the children wanted to play at that center.
“We observed the children’s play for several days and noticed that their topics of conversation and journal writings were about doctors and sick people. Some children had colds and had recent experiences with visits to a doctor, adding realism to their play.”
Consider starting your own hospital project, exploring these topics:
- Different types of medical professionals, their job titles and roles.
- The reasons why people go to hospital or their GP. What happens when you visit a doctor?
- The human body.
- Medical tools and equipment.
- Types of illnesses, injuries, and health conditions.
- Emergency services.
- The importance of hygiene in hospitals.
- What is empathy and compassion? Why are these important for people who are sick or hurt?
Family and community connections
Collaborate with families
Dr. Angela Kwong, a General Practitioner in Sydney, reached out to her own child's educators. Together they organised a visit from "Doctor Angela".
“I came along, brought my bears, my stethoscope, otoscope, and some crepe bandages,” says Dr. Kwong. “We had a fun day teaching children the importance of washing your hands, how to sit when you need to get a needle, and how to bandage your bear. It was a really rewarding experience, both as a parent and as a medic.
“I would encourage early childhood educators to reach out to parents in their community. You might be surprised that you already have nurses, doctors, or ambulance officers as parents of your children. They may love to collaborate and take up the opportunity to share skills that nurture their children and peers.”
Visit the hospital
Your local hospital or medical centre may be supportive of children visiting. Many have education programs already in place. Excursions to the hospital can help young children learn about health and wellbeing while reducing fears associated with doctor visits.
Resources
Picture books
- Dr Dog by Babette Cole
- Look Inside a Hospital by Katie Daynes
- A Trip to the Hospital by Freda Chiu
- We’re Going to the Doctor by Marion Cocklico
- Maisy Goes to Hospital by Lucy Cousins
Music
The Wiggles: Miss Polly had a dolly
Videos
Information videos for children on YouTube from Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.