Cause a Distraction with Look-For-It Distraction Boards
Nothing replaces the good, old-fashioned game of I Spy. I use it with my kids on road trips, AND I use it with my patients at the hospital. Although, after about 5 minutes I tend to quickly realize that hospital rooms are fairly bland colors
(how much “white” can you spy?!). For example, our hospital room I Spy games go a lot like this:
4-year-old: I spy white! Child Life: The bed sheet? 4-year-old: Yes! I spy something white again! Child Life: The pillowcase? 4-year-old: Yes! I spy something white AGAIN! Child Life: The walls? 4-year-old: Yes! I spy...
OK, ok, I think you get the point. So, when it comes to providing an alternative focus for children during painful or stressful procedure, searching for new things in a plain room just isn’t going to cut it. Enter, the Look-For-It distraction boards from SmileMakers. My favorite is the classic version called “Look-For-It Trinkets”. It’s not as bulky as the typical Look and Find books that I’ve used before during procedures, so it’s easier for me to hold.
Each distraction board includes directions to “find” specific things that help to get the game started. I like giving these to parents and encouraging them to start “playing” with their child. Also, I sometimes hand one to the healthcare staff that are working with the patient. It’s a guided game that will quickly help the staff person build rapport with the patient and the family.
The trinket design includes colors, shapes, animals and other easy-to-identify objects that kids can connect with. Alternatively, SmileMakers offers other gender-neutral distraction boards themes like Sea Life Pals, Transportation, and Jungle Friends.
The reason I like this board, in particular, is that it’s large enough to block a view from a child if
they’ve opted “not to look” at the procedure happening. Whether I’m helping with a wound dressing change or a simple IV start, giving patients a choice about visual opportunities is key. These posters are flexible, light-weight, easy to sanitize and re-use, and best of all, they are under $20.
