The Toy Association – How Play Supports Pediatric Patient’s Mental and Behavioral Health
Children and youth are facing mental and behavioral health conditions at staggering rates (1), and play is a powerful tool clinically proven to help manage and improve children’s mental and behavioral health. Studies (2) have shown play therapy in a hospital setting reduces anxiety and negative emotions, as well as well as helps children express and communicate their feelings and emotions through toys. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, The Toy Foundation (TTF) facilitated an interview between VTech Electronics, a partner of TTF’s Children’s Hospital Play Grants program, and MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach (Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital), a 2024 play grants recipient, to discuss how play is a vital tool for medical teams to provide pediatric patients with developmentally-appropriate mental and behavioral health support while undergoing treatment.