Improving graphic skills during hospitalization

Abstract

Hospitalization may have negative effects on child development. It takes the child off her routine and prevents her from contacts with stimulating environments. The aim of this work was to evaluate the development and quality on drew productions, before and after art therapy intervention, during the hospitalization of 7 to 10 years old children, with infectious diseases. It was proposed a quasi experimental design with a control group (n=9) and a group that was submitted to art therapy intervention (n=10). Results show that these interventions were effective in improving the development and the quality of the drawings. Hospitals can also be stimulating environments for children offering them caring practices that go beyond the disease.