Dr. Teddy Bear Will See You Now

Receiving a toy as a gift can help take some of the sting out of being in the hospital over the holidays, but toys are important to patients at Connecticut Children’s all year long. In fact, their purpose goes far beyond fun. They’re important therapeutic tools that can ease anxiety, demystify frightening medical procedures and help kids express their feelings and worries.

Child Life Specialists simulate procedures with toys to make kids feel more comfortable.

A Child Life specialist can show a patient facing surgery how an anesthesia mask fits over a teddy bear’s nose or use a doll to demonstrate where a chemotherapy port will be implanted. A wand filled with sparkles can distract a child, holding their attention while a doctor or nurse performs a diagnostic test or other procedure. Blowing on a pinwheel or into a harmonica teaches deep breathing and relaxation techniques. Stress balls and squeezable toys are an effective way for a child to transfer pain and nervous energy.

Of course, what distracts a toddler may not work as well with a 10-year-old, so Connecticut Children’s needs to keep a wide range of age-appropriate toys on hand. Every year, more than 80,000 toys are distributed to patients across our health system. To help meet these needs, we are asking the community to join us in a Virtual Toy Drive, so our Child Life specialists can purchase the toys they need for patients, based on age and developmental needs, as needed throughout the year.

It’s easy to participate! Form a fundraising team with friends or coworkers—or make a one-time donation. Your gift will provide the incredible medical magic of toys to patients all year long.

Host a Virtual Toy Drive