Persephone's Play Park
Three-year-old Persephone knows SickKids in a rather different light than most. She is dropped off in the morning, picked up in the afternoon and listens to ‘story time’ in between. She is a regular at the Play Park that’s run by the Women’s Auxiliary, a registered charity working within SickKids since 1950. Thanks to the Play Park, Persephone has followed a daily routine over the past year, despite the health complications in her younger brother’s life that brought her family to the hospital.Persephone has been coming to the Play Park every day for about a year. She takes care of the dolls, pretends to cook in the kitchen play area and is the designated veterinarian for the pet stuffed dog. But no matter where she goes, Persephone’s doll, Baby, comes with her.
When she’s asked, Persephone says that Baby is a boy. She plays with the doctor tools on him and when she’s told she is a good mom she responds, ‘Just like mommy.’
Telma, the Women’s Auxiliary longest serving staff member and Play Park Supervisor, says this behaviour mirrors Persephone’s life. Her brother, Gideon, was rushed to SickKids when he was born on February 25, 2014. Her family moved their life from Burford, Ontario, to Toronto and have been at SickKids ever since. The Play Park has become Persephone’s day care, like a second home.
As a result of the generous volunteers at the Women’s Auxiliary, the Play Park is a possibility for children like Persephone. Their fundraising efforts support staff and resources at the Play Park. Telma and her small group of Registered Early Childhood Educators, also known as RECE, are able to run programs and provide one-on-one care to over 30 children who come into the Play Park every day.
One year ago, Persephone was a shy, easily intimidated two-year-old. Telma says that as each day goes by she becomes more confident, coming more out of her shell. The other day, Persephone felt comfortable playing with another child. She was the doctor and her friend was the patient. Persephone and Telma took turns with different doctor tools to make sure their ‘patient’ felt better.
While Persephone is playing, her mom, Jaclyn, is upstairs in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit visiting Gideon. It puts Jaclyn at ease knowing that Persephone is in safe hands.
‘‘The Play Park has been a lifesaver for our family. The Play Park gives Persephone a chance to just play and be a kid each day, while I get to have some time to focus on learning all the complexities of caring for her brother Gideon,’’ said Jaclyn.
The Play Park provides an extra dimension of care to SickKids families. Not only is it a place for kids to go to play, but it’s a place to learn, grow and build relationships. The registered Early Childhood Education staff let kids play at their own pace but are quick to jump in on an opportunity to teach and provide support. The Play Park has helped Persephone learn her numbers, improve her social skills and provide one-on-one attention and care. More importantly, the Play Park has allowed Persephone the space and support to be a kid.
Telma, the Women’s Auxiliary longest serving staff member and Play Park Supervisor, says this behaviour mirrors Persephone’s life. Her brother, Gideon, was rushed to SickKids when he was born on February 25, 2014. Her family moved their life from Burford, Ontario, to Toronto and have been at SickKids ever since. The Play Park has become Persephone’s day care, like a second home.
As a result of the generous volunteers at the Women’s Auxiliary, the Play Park is a possibility for children like Persephone. Their fundraising efforts support staff and resources at the Play Park. Telma and her small group of Registered Early Childhood Educators, also known as RECE, are able to run programs and provide one-on-one care to over 30 children who come into the Play Park every day.
One year ago, Persephone was a shy, easily intimidated two-year-old. Telma says that as each day goes by she becomes more confident, coming more out of her shell. The other day, Persephone felt comfortable playing with another child. She was the doctor and her friend was the patient. Persephone and Telma took turns with different doctor tools to make sure their ‘patient’ felt better.
While Persephone is playing, her mom, Jaclyn, is upstairs in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit visiting Gideon. It puts Jaclyn at ease knowing that Persephone is in safe hands.
‘‘The Play Park has been a lifesaver for our family. The Play Park gives Persephone a chance to just play and be a kid each day, while I get to have some time to focus on learning all the complexities of caring for her brother Gideon,’’ said Jaclyn.
The Play Park provides an extra dimension of care to SickKids families. Not only is it a place for kids to go to play, but it’s a place to learn, grow and build relationships. The registered Early Childhood Education staff let kids play at their own pace but are quick to jump in on an opportunity to teach and provide support. The Play Park has helped Persephone learn her numbers, improve her social skills and provide one-on-one attention and care. More importantly, the Play Park has allowed Persephone the space and support to be a kid.
