Squeezy Ball Buffet
- Katie Taylor, CCLS, Child Life on Call
You’re helping your patient get ready for an uncomfortable or painful experience. The procedure is not a choice… but choosing something to squeeze is, right? Yeah. We can help with that.
Picture this… you open a small plastic box filled with more squeezy balls/animals/items than any one person has ever seen. You’ve completed your preparation of the upcoming procedure or experience for your patient and now you’re in the “teach coping skills” phase of your intervention.
The mood is tense, because let’s be honest, when we provide our patients with the truth of what’s going to happen, our conversations can authentically move to some unwanted feelings. That’s ok. That’s normal. So, let’s embrace those feelings, not run from them, and talk about how we’re going to handle them.
That’s when I bring out my “Squeezy Ball Buffet.” Not only does it lighten the mood, but it literally gives the patient a chance to shift gears from fear and worry to control and exploration.
SmileMakers has provided us, the Child Life Specialists and Care Teams, with lots of choices to give to our patients. I want to tell you about a few of my personal favorites:
- The Neon Glitter Water Tubes: An oldie but a goodie. This item gets patients giggling (when it slips out of their hands!) and is mesmerizing to look at. We can estimate the number of sparkles in the tube or discuss if we think that’s what outer space looks like.
- Teeny, tiny animal gel-squishies. I cannot hold one of these without saying “AWW!” They are so adorable, and there are so many species to choose from. These can naturally turn into pretend play as we add names and feelings and keep them close for safe keeping.
- For older school-age and adolescents, I prefer the sensory balls. Less of a “toy” and more of an appropriate choice for older patients. Each ball is a different level of resistance and you can encourage your patient to choose which one works best for them.
- And last but not least, I keep balloon animal squishies in my buffet because… well I have to. It is so fun to watch your patient guess the animal and look at the intricate shape that each one has formed. Balloon animals mean fun and choosing one to squish is even more fun.
What’s your favorite option? What do you like to use with your patients and why?
