Aug 07 2008
Lucile Packard Kids Connection
Packard Kids Connection is an innovative way to prepare kids for their hospital stay. I played around with this feature myself and, even at twenty four, I loved that you can personalize your character! It is a great way to ease kids into the process of learning about the hospital by giving them control when they are facing a situation that has a big chance of making them feel like they don’t have control over much in their lives. It is available in English and Spanish as well. It is specifically designed with children five through twelve in mind. The packing game is a lot of fun (yes, I tried it out myself!); it lets the kids know what items are appropriate to take to the hospital with them. For example, when you try to pack the dog, it tells you that someone else will take good care of your pet while you are in the hospital. The ‘Arriving at the Hospital’ section introduces the children to the people they will meet in the hospital. In the ‘Your Hospital Room’ part, vital signs are explained to children, such as the definitions and how they are measured. They also have a great matching game that helps to familiarize the kids with various medical equipment.
