As Child Life Specialists, we know the magical power of stickers. We can use them for entertainment, distraction, medical play and so much more. In my opinion, stickers work better than a tablet for these age groups. Unlike a tablet, sticker sheets require fine motor skills and allow for expression.

Sticker Activity Sheets from SmileMakers make using stickers easy and imaginative. I find myself usually giving a sleeve of stickers to decorate a mask prior to anesthesia or to young patients with a blank sheet of paper to decorate. SmileMakers activity sheets, though, allow children to develop a whole world with their favorite characters while developing their fine motor skills.

Take for example, the Doc McStuffins Sticker Activity sheets. Your patient can peel the sticker to use as they choose - on a mask, to decorate a piece of paper, or they can use the Hospital setting that the sheet provides. Discuss with your patient the similarities and differences about what you see in the picture versus what their real life experience has been like.

For my daughter, the Sesame Street Activity sheet was a hit. While she was getting leads placed on her head for an EEG, I was hesitant to use the iPad because I knew I would have to take away all visual and auditory stimulation for the “sleeping” portion of the test. These sticker sheets were a PERFECT distraction for her little toddler fingers, and seeing her favorite characters made the process so much easier. I simply clipped the one page sheet with peelable, reusable stickers and put it on the clipboard. She LOVED it!

SmileMakers also has Sticker Activity Sheets for characters like Princesses, Cars and Mickey Mouse… these are all such a hit for this targeted age group. If you have a patient who is really into TV in the hospital… yes, we know this happens, instead of trying to “take away” the screen, add to it by introducing the sticker sheet while they watch. Slowly, but surely, I’m sure you’ll find their interest level will turn to the tactile activity and they’ll make their own choice to change their focus.