Child Life Specialists’ Evaluation of Hospital Playroom Design: A Mixed Method Inquiry

Abstract

This study uses the expertise of child life specialists to identify which elements support child life goals for hospitalized children. This study can be used to inform those interested in the optimal design of hospital playrooms. Ninety child life specialists were surveyed using a photograph methodology showing five actual child life playrooms from different hospitals. The participants were asked the following: rate each playroom on 14 dimensions; describe what was liked best about each playroom; and finally, rank order the playrooms based on their ability to support child life goals. Findings show that child life specialists were able to detect fine distinctions among hospital playrooms; thus, highlighting the important role that child life specialists can play in the design or modification of these spaces. Notably, using both Likert ratings and open-response questions, the value of biophilia in child life play spaces, specifically windows, light, and nature themes were revealed. In addition to biophilic attributes, the playrooms rated most favorably were those that contain pleasing color and décor and plenty of open space. Playrooms that promote sensory-motor and pretend play were also preferred.

The social and physical environmental factors associated with the play of children living with life threatening/limiting conditions: A Q methodology study

“…When the children in this study were unable to interact with others in the playroom, they found that situation to be 'boring' as demonstrated in the findings. However, the current practice in supporting play in palliative care is usually based on providing physical space and equipment for the children to use (Weinberger et al, 2017), and therefore, designing the services has to take into consideration facilitating social connectivity that meets children's need for social interaction and enjoyment of play.…”

Testing Reliability of Biophilic Design Matrix Within Urban Residential Playrooms

“…Children experience substantial psychological benefits when engaging in outdoor play in natural environments (Fjørtoft, 2001;Chawla, 2007;McCurdy et al, 2010). Only recently have researchers studied biophilic interior spaces and present findings showing the importance of natural features in playrooms on cognitive development, social-emotional development, and overall wellbeing (Swank and Shin, 2015;Weinberger et al, 2017). In order to later assess the biophilic quality in urban residential playrooms and the psychological effects that children experience in a low biophilic playroom and a high biophilic playroom, assessing the methodological soundness of a measure that identifies and quantifies biophilic design features in these spaces is needed.…”

“…From a therapeutic perspective, playrooms are optimal indoor environments for combining play-therapy and biophilia to the child's benefit. Weinberger et al (2017) surveyed child life specialists at a hospital to evaluate which elements within hospital playrooms are of importance to children. Biophilic elements were of high value to specialists.…”

“… Weinberger et al (2017) surveyed child life specialists at a hospital to evaluate which elements within hospital playrooms are of importance to children. Biophilic elements were of high value to specialists.…”

Diy Biophilia: Development of the Biophilic Interior Design Matrix as a Design Tool

“…True biophilic design needs to mimic this natural complexity. In a recent study, greater biophilic variety was associated with experts' selection of the “best” playroom (Weinberger, Butler, McGee, Schumacher, & Brown, ). This preference for nature‐based variety suggests that organized complexity can be exhibited through the thoughtful application of a variety of nature‐based features.…”