Power of Play for Children

December 20^th marks the “World Game’s Day.” Games have been a part of our civilization for centuries, serving as enjoyable breaks from routine. They sharpen problem-solving skills, enhance goal-oriented strategies, and improve focus, communication, coordination, and multi-tasking abilities. Beyond entertainment, playing games is fundamental for children to build relationships with peers, and confront new challenges.

Playing games contribute to children’s social, cognitive, and physical health, fostering resilience and undergoing healthy brain development. Given its vital role in children’s wellbeing and development, it is crucial that all children have ample opportunities to play.

In pediatric healthcare bases, a special space is allocated for children to play, commonly known as “hospital playrooms.” Playrooms are designed to educate children about their medical conditions, reduce anxiety during daunting procedures, as well as maintain a sense of normalcy during extended hospitalizations.

Since the beginning, MAHAK has had an ever-existing concern toward the life quality of cancer-stricken children and has always been striving to preserve the childhood of the cancer-stricken children by providing them with support services. MAHAK playrooms, managed by the Supportive Services Department, aim to promote not only emotional healing but also the resilience needed to cope with the challenges of illness, ensuring that children have the opportunity to experience joy even during difficult times.

Through performing play therapy, psychotherapy, and music therapy at play rooms, MAHAK psychologists attempt to moderate the treatment process for children and improve the therapeutic environment for them.

It is worth taking a look back at “The 16th Congress of Asia Continental Branch of International Society of Paediatric Oncology-SIOP Asia 2024,” MAHAK presented a research-based study in the area of play therapy entitled ‘The Impact of Gestalt Play Therapy on Resilience & Hope of Children with Cancer.’ The details of this presentation can be found in the following link:

https://mahak-charity.org/en/the-16th-congress-of-asia-continental-branch-of-international-society-of-paediatric-oncology-siop-asia-2024/

Happy World Games Day from MAHAK to all the children across the world!