A pre-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge and attitude regarding importance of play during Hospitalization among mothers of under five children admitted in Pediatric ward of MAMC, Agroha District Hisar (Haryana)

Introduction: In India, children of under five years constitute 9% of total population. Migration and globalization have created significance, organization health and social psychological change. Babies and toddler need a safe, healthy environment. Play is the key centre of a healthy child’s life. In play children expand their understanding of themselves and others, their ability to communicate with peers and adults. Play is the business of the childhood, allowing your child free rein to experiment with the world around him and the emotional world inside him, says author. Play means spontaneous or voluntary recreational activities pursued for enjoyment and accessories or equipment used in the activities; includes games, toys, etc. Play has the power not only to aid in normal child development but also to help alleviate emotional and behavioral difficulties. For over six decades, play therapy has been recognized as the oldest and most popular form of child therapy in clinical practice. Health and illness underpin our everyday existence. Health allows us to live full lives and to function as social beings. Illness disrupts our lives, sometimes seriously. Healthy children become a healthy adult improving the health of children is one responsibility among many. Play is integral to the academic environment. It ensures that the school setting attends to the social