Suggestions for Amusing Children

Abstract

T HE problem was considered in two phases: first, that of amusing children in the out-patient department; and second, in the hospital ward. The problem in the clinic was (1) to keep the small child out from under foot; (2) to win the child's confidence and cooperation, (3) to quiet the crying infant. The requirements were (1) quiet amusement; (2) something that would not take up space; (3) something adaptable to a single child, or to not more than three; (4) neatness; (5) of such slight cost that it would not matter if it were taken home by the child. The solution: First, for a child of two years, the crying infant. In three instances a child of this age has been successfully amused, before and after having a myringotomy, by means of a small rubber ball attached to a rubber cord. This -toy has three advantages: (1) It can be easily carried in the nurse's pocket (being about the size of a walnut); (2) it is inexpensive (5 cents); and (3) it has that rare quality of returning to its owner. In each case the harassed mother fastened the rubber around the child's wrist, and beamed her appreciation. In two other cases this was not effective. Second, for a girl of four years: The most successful experiment took place one day in the operating room.