Dote on Children Health Foundation

30/08/2026

17/08/2026

We had our third session on Saturday with Sushma, and it was a very enriching session. When the play volunteers reflected on the lessons that resonated most with us, two insights came up repeatedly.

Play is the universal language for all children. No matter the country, tribe, or location, even when you don’t understand each other’s language, you can connect with a child through play.

Secondly, a child does not stop being a child because they become a patient. A child being hospitalised should not stop them from being happy and having a life beyond the four walls of the hospital, with the ability to still make choices.

Sushma also shared with us from her wealth of experience on how we can continue to advocate for play in the hospital. We learned so much from this session, and we look forward to putting these lessons into practice as we continue our work with children in hospital

10/08/2026

Lessons from Episode 2: with Meenu.

Meenu shared an observation that many of us have witnessed in children’s hospitals.

She said "If you notice, when children are walking into the consulting room, or into the laboratory, or into the ward they are clutching to their parents. Really afraid. Because they are afraid of the hospital. Afraid of so many things that can happen in the hospital."

"But when they have the opportunity to go into the playroom, they literally let go of their parents and rush, or run, towards the playroom."

This tells us how important play can help cushion the negative experiences children may associate with the hospital.

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02/08/2026

Yesterday we had our first session of the "Let's Talk Play" series with Swati, an online session of interactions with a Child Life Specialist.

It was a really insightful session and one takeaway lesson I want to share is:

The playroom is a safe space for children in the hospital. No medical intervention or procedures should take place inside.

The idea is that kids need at least one place in the hospital where their brain doesn’t link hospital with pain.

But this got me thinking...
Will it defeat the purpose if doctors or nurses go into the playroom to PLAY with the children?
Not to treat. Just to color, build blocks, read stories.

-sharing lessons and thoughts

30/07/2026

13/07/2026

DCHF Hospital Playroom 3