Play and chronic diseased children
“Children with a chronic or life-threatening disease may face obstacles that negatively impact play and play development, possibly impeding developmental milestones, beyond the actual illness itself. Currently, there is limited understanding of the impact of (1) aberrant or suppressed play and (2) play-related interventions on the development of chronic diseased children. We argue that stimulating play behaviour enhances the adaptability of a child to a (chronic) stressful condition and promotes cognitive, social, emotional and psychomotor functioning, thereby strengthening the basis for their future health. (…)”
This quote from the Abstract of ‘Healthy play, better coping: The importance of play for the development of children in health and disease’ (Neuroscience &Biobehavioral Reviews, Vol 95, December 2018, pp 421 – 429) clearly states the importance of play and play development for chronic diseased children.
In the image from this article the importance of play in all age groups is illustrated.
You can read the article by clicking this link: Healthy play, better coping: The importance of play for the development of children in health and disease