Project: Interactive Environment Funding
Location: RCH & Southern Health (Monash Medical Centre)
Funding Requirement: up to $10,000 per annum
Funding Period: Annual and ongoing.
Aim of Funding:
To establish a developmentally appropriate environment for children and their siblings attending the CCC at RCH and MMC which is dynamic, interesting, fun and challenging.
Description of service:
Background: Sixty percent of children attending MMC are under 5 whereas at the RCH this figure is closer to 40%. Many children attend with siblings, and most attend for multiple visits over lengthy periods of time. A key philosophy underpinning the psychological care of the children is the maintenance of developmentally appropriate activities throughout the child’s journey. For the kinder or primary school aged child, the frequent absences from formal programs may affect the child’s confidence, ease of interaction with other children. At the same time, the visit to the hospital is often viewed with anxiety by the child and parents due to the procedures and treatment the child requires.
The aim of this project is to provide a variety of play and educational options for the child and siblings attending the centres. A combination of noisy, quiet, interactive, exploratory and fun activities loosely joined by a concept or theme will lead to the centre being a fun place to visit and may reduce some anticipatory anxiety for the child and family. It may create a sense of normality for the child by providing some structure to play and at the same time given the child control over their activities when at the centre. Though primarily aimed at the kinder or primary child, activities suitable for the older child or adolescent will also be included.
Funding provided by the KOALA Foundation supports the provision of outdoor playground and play equipment at the Children’s Cancer Centre at Monash Medical Centre, art and music and play materials for both centres.