Department of Psychology University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada, S4S 0A2, Thomas.Hadjistavropoulos@uregina.ca,

Abstract

Objective: Using therapeutic plays hospitalized children’s nursing care has positive affects on the negative emotions and thoughts. This literature review examines therapeutic plays' benefits in children aged 3-6 and their contribution to nursing care. Therapeutic play helps children’s adaption the hospital and reduce negative thoughts. Having therapeutic plays in nursing care can reduce child’s negative emotions. Method: Literature review used PubMed, Google academic and Science Direct databases. The screening keywords were “therapeutic play”, “hospitalization”, “child”, “nurse” and “care”. Inclusion criteria in the study; 1) studies examining therapeutic play's benefits for children and contribution to nursing care in children aged 3-6 years, 2) between 2010- 2020, 3) published in full text in English, 4) available from Pubmed, Google academic, Medline and Science Direct databases. Results: 10 studies meeting the criteria were examined after screening. The studies were evaluated in conduction year, place, sample characteristics, therapeutic play methods and important results. The examined studies used therapeutic play method in elective surgery, vascular opening, IV medicine treatment, hospitalization, vaccine application, cast removal, and radiation therapy. The studies used storytelling, interactive game playing, painting techniques. Therapeutic play contributed to reducing the child's negative behavior and pain levels. Its use was effective in nursing care in increasing cooperation and trust with health professionals. Conclusion: Therapeutic play reduces hospitalized children's negative thoughts and behaviors and increases communication with nurses.