Capstone Topic

The purpose of my Capstone project is to help children that have a fear of going to the doctor for their check-up. A previous bad experience may have the young child the idea to fight  the doctor by screaming or having a tantrum during their office visit. Perhaps the belief that the doctor is going to hurt instead of help them keeps children from cooperating. The Capstone Project investigates if an educational model could be developed to reduce the fear and anxiety among young children and therefore the visit to the doctor will result in a positive experience. To create this learning environment a Playhouse that resembles a doctor’s office or hospital will be built. Children will be able to play in a playhouse using toys that are similar to the instruments used by the actual doctor. Through a guided Play Therapy experience the children  become more confident and less fearful about the visit to the doctor. The cost of the doctor’s visit increases when medical personnel have to waste valuable time trying to persuade a frighten child to cooperate. The reduction of time can be tied to economics and more efficient use of resources.