Teddy Bear Hospital at DkIT demystifies the hospital experience for Stamullen pupils
First class students from St Patrick’s National School, Stamullen, recently visited Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) along with their cuddly toys. The children had the opportunity to see just how various treatments work through the eyes of their teddy bears at the DkIT Teddy Bear Hospital.
The workshops, which are organised by members of The School of Health and Science at DkIT, aim to familiarise primary school children with the hospital environment and procedures, making it less intimidating and demystifying the experience for them. Additionally, students were introduced to the world of Science and Microbiology, and got the opportunity to wear their lab coats and test teddy’s blood for infection in DkIT’s state of the art Science labs.
Dr. Orla Sherlock a lecturer in the Department of Life & Health Sciences at DkIT commented:
“This Combined Science and Nursing Outreach event is a unique initiative, offering children the opportunity not only to learn about these professions but also to experience aspects of them firsthand. The children especially loved learning about bacteria in our science labs and applying that knowledge to understand the importance of hand hygiene in nursing and infection prevention. It brings science and health to life in a way that’s engaging, meaningful, and memorable.”
The visitors had the opportunity to visit DkIT’s training hospital, where they met the team of nurses, midwives and early years educators who conducted check-ups and performed tests to ensure teddy’s well-being.
To give as accurate an insight in to a real-life hospital experience as possible, the workshop included visits to several areas in the hospital including Teddy Triage, Teddy Hospital Ward, Teddy Diagnostic Lab, and the Discharge Garden for teddies who are ready to return home.
Some teddies also had to undergo a variety of procedures including examinations, x-rays, pulse, temperature and oxygen level checks, blood tests, breathing tests, and balance tests.
Following diagnosis by the Science and Nursing team, some teddies needed to undergo treatments. These involved the use of bandages, plasters, slings, and medicines.
Dr Áine McHugh, Lecturer & Programme Director of the BSc (hons) in Mental Health Nursing at DkIT said:
“Since the Pandemic most children can't visit family in hospital anymore, so the Teddy Bear Hospital experience allows them see what it might be like for their Granny or Grandad or other family members who are admitted to hospital so they can understand what happens, see the equipment and understand what nurses and midwives do in hospitals. It also helps prepare children who have to go into to hospital for what it might be like for them. The experience may also foster an interest in nursing midwifery and early years education.”
The children also had the opportunity to complete some mindfulness activities such as creating their own lava lamps, to show how mindfulness can help with some of the anxiety people might experience when in a hospital setting or undergoing medical treatment.
Speaking after the workshops, Cathy Keary, First Class Teacher at St Patrick’s NS, Stamullen said:
“Our First Class were very excited to be invited to Dundalk IT to attend the Teddy Bear Hospital. The children and their teddy bears were welcomed by nurses and scientists. They were so attentive sharing their knowledge and expertise throughout the day. The children had a wonderful day learning about the world of healthcare and science, through play in a real healthcare setting. We feel very lucky to have experienced this incredible day.”
To learn more about Outreach at DkIT’s school of Health and Science visit:
