Momentotems: Designing for Hospitalised Children

The Problem

A developing child’s mind is very sensitive to change, shaping and forming as they age and mature. As such negative experiences and detrimental stimuli
can have long-lasting effects on development, potentially leading to mood disorders, anxiety, and regressed development.

Long-term hospitalisation is extremely stressful, from the associated pain and distress to the fast-moving unfamiliar and sterile environment. As such
hospitalisation can drastically affect a developing child, long overshadowing their stay in hospital.

A monetary value cannot be put on child health and wellbeing, and it is a priority for hospitals to ensure that their patients leave in the best condition possible, physically and mentally. As such hospitals take a keen interest in ensuring that child development is not hindered by their care – social play spaces exist in most paediatric wards, numerous charities are built on improving paediatric experiences, and mental health services are keenly aware of how children react to hospitalisation.

Research Findings

During interviews with individuals who had experienced periods of long-term childhood hospitalisation each displayed distinctly different developmental reactions, culminating in vastly different relationships to medical contexts, with the extremes showing high-levels of medical anxiety or a complete normalisation of medicine and pain. However, each respondent detailed high-levels of boredom and a feeling of “lost-time” as a result of the isolation and boredom they experienced during their hospitalisation.

Another interview was conducted with a childcare educator who specialises in neurodivergent children, they detailed what children need in high stress situations and how caregivers can accommodate this. They highlighted the importance of free-form low investment play, allowing children to engage with activities and toys at their own volition and how children utilise various different methods of play during development, most notably role play as a means to understand the world around them and develop proper empathy.

The results of the research illuminated the need for cognitive and social engagement for kids during periods of hospitalised isolation, and help alleviate “lost-time”, through healthy and effective play.

Name: Research Report
File Type: application
File Size: 390 KB
Link: Download File

Features

Momentotem is a highly modular toy system built around the large central “Totem” piece, with various multi-contextual accessories easily clipping onto it in a way familiar to most children. Scaled to be easily held in small child’s hands, yet not too small to pose a safety risk, it is made with mobility in mind and can be manipulated easily with one arm. Epoxy-coated Camphor Laurel wood is used to ensure it is safe for the hospital environment and resilient to rigorous play, whilst also allows the surface to be drawn on with most store-bought markers – adding near-infinite modularity. All these factors come together to form a simplistic multi-purpose toy that is suited to the needs of the context.

Accessories & Modularity

Crafted to spark creativity, the Momentotem comes with a variety of accessories inspired by both the hospital context and fantastical worlds. Children can easily customise and create unique characters and scenarios from their bedside. The marker-erasable surface greatly enhances interactivity and opportunity, allowing kids to play again and again, harboring endless play and engagement.

Accessiblity & Healthy Play

To ensure inclusivity and representation, the Momentotem offers an optional wheelchair variant that can be substituted by hospital staff as needed, allowing children with mobility aids to see themselves reflected in their play. The easy-to-use mechanical clip mechanism allows for simple use by children with varying abilities to customise their Totem. Thoughtfully empowering children by accommodating their unique needs and preferences.

System

Upon arrival, hospital staff present a Momentotem equipped with a unique assortment of accessories, immediately sparking engagement and combating boredom. As children play with it during their recovery it becomes a familiar companion and when they are ready to go home, they’re encouraged to take it with them. To them the toy serves as momento of their resilience and recovery and fostering a positive emotional connection to their time in care. Simultaneously this removes the logistical weight from the hospital and ensures their is minimal additional responsibilities for the already busy hospital staff.