Video games help children during hospital stay

A Rosie Place for Children in South Bend has partnered with an organization that donates video game technology for sick and recovering children.

These game stations are on portable Nintendo Switch consoles stocked with 26 of the most popular video games.

A Rosie Place For Children’s Executive Director Mark Waltz says the popular Nintendo games along with some unique modifications to hospital gowns is creating a positive change at their facility in South Bend.

This is part of the Power of Play campaign designed by Starlight Children’s Foundation. Starlight is stationed in 800 hospitals across the U.S, and served over 2 million children last year.

Starlight provides hospitals and medical facilities with free books, toys, red wagons, video games and a unique style of hospital gown made for extra privacy and agency.

“A once shy, scared child is now talking and playing and interacting and a lot more compliant even with their treatments.” Viktoria De Jong, Starlight Child Life Specialist said.

De Jong says studies show that switching from normal clothes to a hospital gown can be stressful for children.

“So with that we thought okay if we make something that is more child friendly it has it’s easier to access it has snaps it has ties it’s a little bit easier to put on there’s no openings like the typical gowns it was just a lot a lot more easy for a child to be able to to comply to that.” De Jong said.

Starlight is funded by donations and provides all resources to hospitals through an free e-commerce platform.

De Jong says this kind of playful outlet helps reduce stress for children and their caregivers.

“What we know is that when a child gets to play and interact they have that sense of normalcy and positivity and social interaction. And all those really feed into you know better recovery better sleep better… when a child feels good it’s more likely not always but it’s more likely that their recovery is going to also have a positive impact.” De Jong said.

You can learn more about Starlight and the resources they offer by visiting their website.